Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima (P. Miller) Swingle
Tree of Heaven: https://mail.marylandbiodiversity.org/species/1625
Synonyms
Ailanthus  Ailanthus glandulosa  Chinese Sumac  Copal Tree  Stinking Sumac  Tree of Hell  Tree-of-heaven  Varnish Tree 
Tags
Non-native Invasive

Map Snapshot

642 Records

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Status

Abundant and highly invasive species. Introduced into the United States from China in the 1700s, it now grows across much of the country. It is common in Maryland along roadsides and in disturbed areas.

Mechanical and chemical methods of control are expensive and not very effective.

Description

Tree of Heaven is readily recognizable in winter by the membranous, twisted fruits, or samaras.

Where To Find

Easily found in empty lots and along roadsides.

Relationships

A primary larval host plant of the Ailanthus Webworm Moth. Tree of Heaven is also the primary host plant for the newly arrived, invasive planthopper Spotted Lanternfly. The specialized mouthparts of the lanternfly pierce the phloem tissue of leaves and stems and suck the sap; the insect does not eat the fruit or the leaves per se.

Resources

View at iNaturalist Search Google Images Search MBP Facebook posts
View at Maryland Plant Atlas Search Flora of North America Search Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium Search Norton-Brown Herbarium Search MNPS Facebook posts

Citations

No citations linked for this taxon yet.

MBP marks as "Invasive" any taxon listed in the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) list of Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland. You can read their criteria and review the lists here: https://mdinvasives.org/species-of-concern/. Use of media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project is only permitted with express permission of the photographer.

Source: Wikipedia

Wikipedia content unavailable for this taxon.