Chinese Tallow (Triadica sebifera) is in the Spurge Family family (Euphorbiaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,123 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in May.
Nationally it blooms mainly from May to June, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Chinese Tallow: observations by month (U.S.)
About Chinese Tallow
Triadica sebifera, also known as Sapium sebiferum, is commonly known as the Chinese tallow, Chinese tallowtree, Florida aspen, chicken tree, gray popcorn tree, and candleberry tree. The tree is native to eastern Asia, and is most commonly associated with eastern China, Taiwan, and Japan. In these regions, the waxy coating of the seeds is used for candle and soap making, and the leaves are used as herbal medicine to treat boils. The plant sap and leaves...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Chinese Tallow by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 574 | May | May–May |
| Florida | 139 | May | May–May |
| Louisiana | 135 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Alabama | 101 | May | May–Jun |
| Mississippi | 71 | May | May–Jun |
| Georgia | 43 | June | May–Jun |
| South Carolina | 29 | June | May–Jun |
| North Carolina | 21 | June | May–Jun |
| Arkansas | 5 | June | Jun–Jun |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (Spurge Family)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Chinese Tallow?
Nationally, May has the most observations, with the main season from May to June.
Where is Chinese Tallow most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, Florida, Louisiana.