Ailanthus glandulosa Desf.

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese sumac
• Chinese tree-of-heaven
• ailanthus
• stink tree
• tree-of-heaven
• varnish tree
• Tree of Heaven
• China-sumac
• Copal Tree
• Ghetto Palm
• Stinking Cedar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Toxicodendron altissimum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Ailanthus altissima, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Finally, it is situated within the genus Ailanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across various regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found growing in Austria and Belgium. The species also extends through the territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, its geographical reach encompasses Germany within the Middle European region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ailanthus altissima is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. It is predominantly found in lowland habitats, where it demonstrates remarkable adaptability to various environmental conditions. This wide altitudinal range and its presence in lowland ecosystems allow the species to colonize a variety of landscapes, often establishing itself in disturbed or open areas within these zones.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Ailanthus altissima is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a life form that supports its growth into a large, robust tree. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its biological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ailanthus altissima is characterized by its stature as a large, woody tree that grows in a self-supporting manner. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant exhibits significant vertical development, with heights ranging from a minimum of 10 m to a maximum of 30 m, resulting in a mean plant height of approximately 16.5 m. Its growth form is consistently tree-like, defined by its robust, woody structure and its ability to stand upright without the need for climbing mechanisms such as vines or lianas.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

16.5 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ailanthus altissima is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, facilitating carbon fixation through standard biochemical processes. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient uptake. Its vegetative structure is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, featuring impari pinnate leaf forms that vary significantly in size; leaf lengths range from a minimum of 7 cm to a mean of 55 cm, reaching a maximum of 90 cm, while leaf widths range from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm, with a mean width of approximately 4.08 cm. The leaf morphology is further reflected in a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 177.8 cm²/g, indicating its leaf mass distribution and resource investment strategies. Additionally, the plant demonstrates structural density through its stem, which possesses a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 647.5 mg/cm³.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

imparipinnate

Leaf length max:

90 cm

Leaf length mean:

55 cm

Leaf length min:

7 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width mean:

4.08333333333333 cm

Leaf width min:

2.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

177.8 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

647.5 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ailanthus altissima is characterized by a sexual process that is strictly dioecious, with self-fertilization being absent. The flowering cycle typically begins in April and concludes in July, featuring small green flowers that range in length from 0.3 cm to 0.4 cm. These flowers are arranged in paniculate inflorescences, which vary in length from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.3 m. The pollination syndrome is categorized as biotic, specifically relying on insects to facilitate fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant produces fruits that vary in size, with a mean length of 4.5 cm (ranging from 3 cm to 6 cm) and a mean width of approximately 1.28 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 2 cm). These fruits are highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are lightweight, with a mean mass of approximately 0.0303 g, a minimum of 0.008 g, and a maximum of 0.0445 g. Dispersal is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by the wind. Notably, asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

6 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.5 cm

Fruit length min:

3 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.28333333333333 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.3 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

dioecious

Seed mass max:

0.0445 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0302948 g

Seed mass min:

0.008 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ailanthus altissima has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, root.

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Ailanthus altissima has 33 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ailanthone, 1-Acetyl-4-methoxy-beta-carboline, 1-Hydroxycanthin-6-one, 1-Methoxycanthin-6-one, 2,6-Dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone.

Ailanthone

1. Dr. Duke
2. International journal of biological sciences
3. Oncology letters

1-Acetyl-4-methoxy-beta-carboline

1. Dr. Duke

1-Hydroxycanthin-6-one

1. Dr. Duke

1-Methoxycanthin-6-one

1. Dr. Duke

2,6-Dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone

1. Dr. Duke

2,6-Dimethoxyquinone

1. Dr. Duke

AILANTHINONE

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylamarolide

1. Dr. Duke

Amarolide

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ailanthus altissima has 257 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor, Antiviral, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Ailanthus altissima has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bleeding, Gastric Cancer, anti-allergic, anti-malarial, ascariasis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations