Tall Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus excelsa
A fast-growing, large deciduous tree native to India and Sri Lanka, highly valued for its …
Kurz's Ailanthus (Ailanthus kurzii)
Evergreen Ailanthus
Ailanthus kurzii: Botanical Description and Habitat
Distinguished by its elegant evergreen foliage and winged seeds, Ailanthus kurzii thrives in the monsoon and semi-evergreen forests of South and Southeast Asia.
It plays a key role in forest succession, quickly colonizing open gaps in the canopy. The species prefers moist, well-drained soils in valleys and low-altitude hills.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Ailanthus (Tree of heaven)
- ∟ species Ailanthus kurzii (Kurz's Ailanthus)
Morphology
This large tree can reach heights of up to 30 meters, presenting a rounded crown and a straight, cylindrical trunk. The bark is grey and marked with horizontal lenticels.
Its structural components include:
- Leaves: Pinnately compound, measuring 30 to 80 centimeters long, clustered at branch tips.
- Leaflets: Ovate-lanceolate, strongly asymmetrical at the base, with a smooth surface and prominent veins.
- Flowers: Small, yellowish-white, grouped in large branched panicles that attract insect pollinators.
- Fruits: Large, reddish-brown samaras, which are oblong and highly visible among the foliage.
Applications
The light timber is utilized for manufacturing packing cases, matches, and plywood cores. Additionally, the resinous bark yield has been historically studied for its potential medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory compounds.
Interesting facts
This species is named in honor of the German botanist Wilhelm Sulpiz Kurz, who documented much of the flora of India and Myanmar. The winged seeds are aerodynamically structured to rotate like helicopter blades, allowing them to travel far from the parent tree.
Geography of distribution
- India
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- China
Sources
- POWO (2026): Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- WFO (2026): World Flora Online Project.
- Tropicos: Missouri Botanical Garden database.
- GBIF: Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
See also
Vilmorin's Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus vilmoriniana
A large deciduous tree native to western China, characterized by its deep red, finely pubescent …
White Siris
Ailanthus triphysa
A tall evergreen rainforest tree native to Asia and Australia, famous for its aromatic halmaddi …
Giraldi's Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus giraldii
A deciduous tree native to the mountain forests of China, characterized by its hairy leaves …