Simaroubaceae

Ailanthus altissima

Common Names: Tree-of-heaven

Plant Form: Deciduous tree. Size: Up to 25 m tall, usually under 10 m. Stem: Smooth and grey. Leaves: Large 4-14 cm long, oblong to lance-shaped, in pairs in groups of up to 20. Turn yellow before being shed in autumn. Flowers: White or greenish yellow, at the end of branches, small but in large spreading clusters up to 60 cm long. Fruit and Seeds: Oblong-elliptic shape with large wings. Yellowish changing to reddish-pink or brown with age. Habitat: Bushland, waterways, urban areas, waste areas, roadsides, railways. Distinguishing Features: Winged fruit and leaves turning yellow rather than red before being shed distinguish from Rhus (Toxicodendron succedaneum).