Firmiana simplex
Chinese Parasol Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Firmiana genus in the family Sterculiaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Sterculiaceae
- Genus
- Firmiana
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 15 m
- Spread
- 10 m
- Flower type
- monoecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - roasted[2][6]. An oily texture[7].
- Plant part
- Seed
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Astringent, salve[7]. The seed is antiphlogistic, expectorant and refrigerant[10]. A decoction of the roots is used to reduce swellings[10]. A lotion of the leaves is used in the treatment of carbuncles, haemorrhoids and sores[10].
- Product or use
- Antiphlogistic
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Refrigerant
- Product or use
- Salve
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A fibre is obtained by retting the bark[11][12]. It is used for coarse cordage[3] and cloth[7]. A hair wash is made from the leaves and fibre[7]. Wood. Used for making furniture and coffins[11][12][7].
- Product or use
- Fibre
- Product or use
- Hair care
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Along the sides of roads at low altitudes[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[9]. The stored seed can be sown in the early spring in a greenhouse[1] and usually germinates within 2 months[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a good sandy loam[1]. Requires a well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil in full sun or light shade[8]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, they succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country[4][5], though they do not reach tree-size[8]. Trees cast a heavy shade[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202