Simaroubaceae – Tree-of-heaven family
The Tree-of-heaven family, Simaroubaceae, consists of 13 genera and 110 species, tropical.
Description of the family:
Trees or shrubs, sometimes climbing. Stipules 0. Leaves alternate, imparipinnate, lacking gland-dots; the rhachis sometimes winged. Inflorescence a panicle. Flowers unisexual or bisexual. Sepals 4-5, partly fused. Petals 4-5. Stamens 8-10 (in ours). Disk annular. Ovary superior, 4-5-locular, each loculus with 1(-2) ovule. Fruit (in ours) a 4-5-lobed depressed-spherical berry.
Worldwide:
13 genera and 110 species, tropical.
Zimbabwe:
1 cultivated genus and 1 cultivated taxon.
Ailanthus Desf.
Vegetation
Plant: tree to 80 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter; emits strong (unpleasant) odor
Stem/Branch: branches light to dark gray; smooth and glossy; raised dots becoming fissures with
age; twigs stout, chestnut brown to reddish tan; smooth to velvety with light dots and large, heart-shaped
leaf scars
Leaves: 1-3 feet long with 10-41 leaflets each 2-7 inches long;
leaflets dark green with light-green veins above and whitish green below
Flowers (Figures 1, 4)
Flowers: large clusters to 20 inches long of small yellowish-green
flowers with 5 petals; male and female flowers on separate trees
Fruit/Seeds: green to tan; 1-inch wing shaped fruits with twisted tips
on female trees
Habitat and Distribution
Rapidly growing, forms thickets and dense stands in open, disturbed areas;
spreads by seeds and roots
Similar Native Species: There are no similar native species1
Vegetation
Plant: tree to 80 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter; emits strong (unpleasant) odor
Stem/Branch: branches light to dark gray; smooth and glossy; raised dots becoming fissures with
age; twigs stout, chestnut brown to reddish tan; smooth to velvety with light dots and large, heart-shaped
leaf scars
Leaves: 1-3 feet long with 10-41 leaflets each 2-7 inches long;
leaflets dark green with light-green veins above and whitish green below
Flowers (Figures 1, 4)
Flowers: large clusters to 20 inches long of small yellowish-green
flowers with 5 petals; male and female flowers on separate trees
Fruit/Seeds: green to tan; 1-inch wing shaped fruits with twisted tips
on female trees
Habitat and Distribution
Rapidly growing, forms thickets and dense stands in open, disturbed areas;
spreads by seeds and roots
Similar Native Species: There are no similar native species