高大喬木，多生於村邊或風水林，冬天落葉，遠遠即可見到樹頂倒掛長如劍的蒴果，果開裂後生有薄翅的種子，隨風遠播，有若蝴蝶飛舞，蒴果內薄薄的種子甚多，因此又有千張紙的別名。葉片為一片很大的複葉，種籽是中葯「二十四味」材料之一。一株較大的木蝴蝶長在科學館附近。

It is a tall tree that generally grows in village outskirts and feng shui woods.  Deciduous, broad and compounded leaves wither and fall off in winter.  From afar, enormous sword-like pods can be seen dangling from treetops.  When they split, round seeds with thin papery wings drift away with the wind like dancing butterflies.  One pod can carry numerous thin seeds, hence the Chinese alias 'a thousand papers'.  These seeds are also ingredients of the '24 Flavors Herbal Tea'.  A large Tree of Damocles stands near the Science Building.