Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Deciduous tree, usually or always dioecious in N.Z., to c. 25 m high with pale-striped, smooth bark, often suckering extensively from underground roots. Buds suborbicular. Lvs 40–60–(70) cm long; rachis glabrous or puberulent. Leaflets 11–25, the terminal one often reduced or abortive; petiole < 1 cm long, puberulent or glabrous. Lamina 7–15–(17) × 3–6–(7.5) cm, narrowly to broadly ovate, acuminate at apex, glabrous, or hairy towards base of midrib below, glaucescent below; basal glands prominent, usually at apex of small basal lobes, sometimes at apex of 2, small, distinct leaflets. Peduncles and pedicels glabrous or slightly puberulent. Fls foetid. Calyx c. 1 mm long; lobes ± triangular-ovate. Petals 2.5–4 mm long, green, white-woolly within and on lower margins. Staminodes of ♀ fls similar in size to stamens of ♂; filaments slender, < to slightly > petals. Pistil rudimentary in ♂ fls. Samara (2.5)–3–5–(4.5) × 0.7–1.4 cm, light reddish brown or pinkish red, tapering at each end, notched on 1 side opposite seed.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–Jan.