Ailanthus (/əˈlænθəs/;[2] derived from ailanto,anAmbonese word probably meaning "tree of the gods" or "tree of heaven")[3] is a genus of trees belonging to the family Simaroubaceae, in the order Sapindales (formerly RutalesorGeraniales). The genus is native from east Asia south to northern Australasia. One species, the Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima,) is considered a weed in some parts of the world.
| Ailanthus | |
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| Ailanthus altissima leaf and fruit | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Simaroubaceae |
| Genus: | Ailanthus Desf. |
| Species | |
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See text | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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The number of living species is disputed, with some authorities accepting up to ten species, while others accept six or fewer. Species include:
There is a good fossil record of Ailanthus with many species names based on their geographic occurrence, but almost all of these have very similar morphology and have been grouped as a single species among the three species recognized:[8]
A silk spinning moth, the ailanthus silkmoth (Samia cynthia), lives on Ailanthus leaves, and yields a silk more durable and cheaper than mulberry silk, but inferior to it in fineness and gloss. This moth has been introduced to the eastern United States and is common near many towns; it is about 12 cm across, with angulated wings, and in color olive brown, with white markings.[3] Other Lepidoptera whose larvae feed on Ailanthus include Endoclita malabaricus.
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Ailanthus". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 437.