This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Firmiana simplex
  • Chinese Parasol Tree

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Firmiana genus in the family Sterculiaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 9
    Zone 9
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Firmiana simplex has 0 edible uses listed
Firmiana simplex has 0 material uses listed
Firmiana simplex has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - roasted[1][2]. An oily texture[3].

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

A fibre is obtained by retting the bark[4][5]. It is used for coarse cordage[6] and cloth[3].

A hair wash is made from the leaves and fibre[3].

Wood. Used for making furniture and coffins[4][5][3].

Unknown part

Fibre
Hair care
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Astringent, salve[3].

The seed is antiphlogistic, expectorant and refrigerant[7]. A decoction of the roots is used to reduce swellings[7].

A lotion of the leaves is used in the treatment of carbuncles, haemorrhoids and sores[7].

Unknown part

Antiphlogistic
Astringent
Expectorant
Refrigerant
Salve

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy or Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[8]. The stored seed can be sown in the early spring in a greenhouse[9] 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Firmiana simplex. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a good sandy loam[9]. Requires a well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil in full sun or light shade[10].

Plants are not very hardy in Britain, they succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country[11][12], though they do not reach tree-size[10].

Trees cast a heavy shade[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Firmiana simplex. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Firmiana simplex.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Firmiana simplex
Genus
Firmiana
Family
Sterculiaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3]
Medicinal uses
[3][7]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6][3]
Botanic
[11][6][8]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Canopy, Secondary canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    15 x 10 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.63.73.8 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae. ()
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    12. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)

    "image:Firmiana-simplex-1.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Firmiana_simplex&oldid=77335"
    Facts about "Firmiana simplex"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySterculiaceae +
    Belongs to genusFirmiana +
    Has binomial nameFirmiana simplex +
    Has common nameChinese Parasol Tree +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partSeed +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone9 +
    Has imageFirmiana-simplex-1.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useFibre +, Hair care + and Wood +
    Has mature height15 +
    Has mature width10 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiphlogistic +, Astringent +, Expectorant +, Refrigerant + and Salve +
    Has primary imageFirmiana-simplex-1.jpg +
    Has search namefirmiana simplex + and chinese parasol tree +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameFirmiana simplex +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy + and Secondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex +, Firmiana simplex + and Firmiana simplex +