Plantcompass

General Information

Family: Quassia family (Simaroubaceae)
Flowering period in Central Europe: Late summer
Months: 7–8

Allergy potential
CARE-S* Level ♂ 2, ♀ 0. Potentially a new allergen in Europe, skin reactions have already been documented.

Cross-reactions
Allergens show high similarity to corn, mugwort, alternaria and some grass species.

Botanical Information

Distribution
Natural distribution in China and Vietnam. Introduced and planted as a park or ornamental tree in many countries in Europe, America, Africa, and Australia. In countries with temperate or Mediterranean climates, invasive neophyte. Habitats — Pioneer plant on nutrient-poor, dry sites (e.g., railway embankments, wastelands, abandoned sand or gravel pits).

Morphology
Habit — Medium-sized tree, bark of older trees shows a diamond-shaped pattern. Foliage — Deciduous, no autumn coloration, late leaf fall. Foliage — Pinnate leaflets, leaflets oval to elongated, glands at the leaf base secrete sugar to attract ants. Reproduction — Yellowish flowers, strong odor, spiral twisted fruits with central seed.

* CARE-S is an evidence-based system for categorising the allergenic potential of plants. Additional information about CARE-S is available here.