Ailanthus altissima
Tree of Heaven

- Family: Simaroubaceae
- Origen: China and the Maluku Islands

A dioecious tree up to 30 metres tall.

The leaves are alternate, deciduous, reaching 1 metre in length, made up of 12-16 (40) leaflets measuring 7 to 12 cm, ovate lanceolate, ending in a point and 2 to 4 broad teeth at the base. They have small glands that emit an unpleasant odour when threshed. In autumn, when the leaves fall, there are very characteristic scars on the branches showing the canaliculi of the leaves.

The flowers, both male and female, are arranged in terminal clusters that can measure up to 30 centimetres, with welded sepals, 5 free petals, 5 long and 5 short stamens, or 2 to 5 welded.

The fruit is a single winged samara arranged in groups of great numbers.

Source: Rosalía de Castro Park Botanical Guide