Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle – Family Simaroubaceae

General Characteristics

A deciduous tree reaching up to 30 meters in height, dioecious, with gray bark and an expansive crown. 

The leaves are deciduous, alternate, up to 50 cm long, pinnately compound with 6-15 pairs of leaflets; at the base of the leaves, there are glands that emit an unpleasant odor. 

The flowers are gathered in panicle inflorescences with pentamerous yellow-green flowers; the male flowers have 10 stamens, while the female flowers have a superior ovary. 

The fruits are lanceolate samaras, 4 cm in length, with a central seed.

USES

Initially, the leaves were used to feed the larvae of Philosamia cynthia (from which silk was obtained), but these are no longer bred in Italy. The sap can cause skin reactions.

CURIOSITIES

Ailanthus means "tree of paradise" or "tree that touches the sky."

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

A species native to China and the Moluccas, introduced to Italy in Padua in 1760. Warning!

Today, the species is considered highly invasive.