Sapium Sebiferum, Chicken Tree - 0.5 kg Seeds

The Chinese Tallow or Chicken Tree (Sapium sebiferum, syn. Triadica sebifera) is a fast-growing deciduous tree with poplar-like leaves on slender stalks that flutter in the breeze and turn brilliant red, orange and purple in autumn. Its seeds are coated in a white waxy tallow.

Introduced from China and grown in parts of India and the hills, it is planted as an ornamental for its vivid autumn colour and light shade, while the vegetable tallow and oil from the seeds are used for candles, soap and industrial purposes. Because it can spread readily from seed, it is best planted where any self-seeding can be kept in check.

• Family: Euphorbiaceae
• Native region: China and East Asia
• Mature height: 8-15 m
• Growth rate: fast

Remove the white waxy coating by rubbing the seeds in warm soapy water, then soak them in water for 24 hours. Sow about 1-2 cm deep in seed trays of light soil kept warm; germination usually takes 21-30 days, and a short cold-moist spell can improve it. Transplant the seedlings once they have several true leaves and are growing strongly.