A small, extremely fast-growing, short-lived tree that is native to China, but naturalized in much of eastern (and parts of western) U.S. The species is dioecious with staminate flowers. Bruised leaves and broken twigs have a disagreeable odor. The bark is thin, gray, and slightly rough. Leaves are alternate, deciduous, pinnately compound (up to 3' long) with numerous ovate-lanceolate leaflets. Margins are entire except for 2 (or more) coarse, glandulat teeth near the base. Twigs are stout and pubescent with large heart-shaped leaf scars. Buds are small, imbricate, and pubescent. Fruit is a cluster of 1-1/2" twisted samaras with the seed in the center of the wing. The tree is extremely resistant to urban environments.