Comments
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The tree is cultivated in gardens for shade. Immature follicles are filled with a brownish black fluid which is liberated and perhaps cause of dehiscence of premature fruits.
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Description
provided by eFloras
A medium sized tree with smooth bark. Leaves with a glabrous, more than 10 cm long petiole; lamina orbicular, 10-25 cm long and broad, cordate, usually palmately 3-5-lobed; lobes ovate, acuminate, glabrescent above, somewhat velvety below. Panicle large, terminal. Flowers pale yellow, appearing after the leaves, pubescent; pedicel 2-4 mm long, articulate. Sepals nearly free to the base, linear-oblong, 10-12 mm long, c. 2 mm broad, completely reflexed. Staminal column c. 1 cm long, with 10 sessile anthers. Follicles 4-5, each c. 10 cm long, c. 3 cm broad, elliptic-ovate, veined, 2-seeded. Seeds adhering to margins, glabrous, smooth, 4-6 mm in diameter.
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Description
provided by eFloras
Deciduous trees, up to 16 m tall; bark greenish, smooth. Petiole 15-30 cm; leaf blade cordate, palmately 3-5-lobed, 15-30 cm in diam., lobes triangular, both surfaces glabrous or minutely puberulent, basal veins 7, base cordate, apex acuminate. Inflorescence paniculate, terminal, 20-50 cm. Calyx yellowish green, 7-9 mm, divided nearly to base, lobes linear, twisted outward, abaxially puberulent and yellowish, adaxially villous only basally; pedicel nearly as long as calyx. Male flower: androgynophore as long as calyx, thicker in lower part, glabrous. Anthers 15, irregularly fascicled, pistillode pear-shaped and very small. Female flower: ovary globose, hairy. Follicle membranous, stalked, foliaceous, 6-11 × 1.5-2.5 cm, 2-4-seeded, abaxially puberulent or nearly glabrous. Seeds globose, ca. 7 mm in diam., wrinkled. Fl. Jun. 2n = 40*.
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Distribution
provided by eFloras
Distribution: Perhaps a native of China or Japan, introduced in Pakistan, America and elsewhere.
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Flower/Fruit
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Fl.Per.: April-May.
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Habitat & Distribution
provided by eFloras
Widely cultivated. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Japan; cultivated in Europe and North America (United States)].
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Synonym
provided by eFloras
Hibiscus simplex Linnaeus, Sp. Pl., ed. 2, 2: 977. 1763; Firmiana platanifolia (Linnaeus f.) Schott & Endlicher; F. simplex var. glabra Hatusima; Sterculia firmiana J. F. Gmelin; S. platanifolia Linnaeus f.; S. pyriformis Bunge; S. simplex (Linnaeus) Druce.
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Derivation of specific name
provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
simplex: undivided, entire
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- Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
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- Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Wight Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/cult/species.php?species_id=165610
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Firmiana simplex
provided by wikipedia EN
Firmiana simplex, commonly known as the Chinese parasol tree, Chinese parasoltree, or wutong (Chinese: 梧桐; pinyin: wútóng), is an ornamental plant of tree size assigned to the family Malvaceae that was formerly in the family Sterculiaceae in the order Malvales, and is native to Asia. It grows up to 16 m (52 ft) tall.[2]
Description
It has alternate, deciduous leaves up to 30 cm (12 inches) across and small fragrant, greenish-white flowers borne in large inflorescences. A flowering tree varies in fragrance with weather and time of the day, having a lemony odor with citronella and chocolate tones. A tall, stately specimen grows in the botanical garden in Florence, Italy. Bumble bees and Giant Mason Bees readily visit the flowers in Maryland, U.S. People grow this tree as an ornamental in warm regions of North America.
Uses
Due to its sonic properties, the wood is used for the soundboards of several Chinese instruments, including the guqin and guzheng.
According to an article in the journal Nature of 1884, the leaves of Sterculia platanifolia were dried for smoking;[3] the reason for smoking it was not given, but another source simply says that it was used as a substitute for tobacco.[4][5]
The roasted seeds have reportedly been used to make into a tea.[6]
Invasive species
This species is an aggressive, invasive weed in the warmer parts of North America [7] Some people promote its removal and give instructions for drastic measures, including destruction of nursery stock. This plant is self-fertile, and its seeds spread readily, especially along watercourses, growing rapidly after germination in favorable sites. Offspring effectively compete with many other species.[8]
References
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^ "Firmiana simplex" at the Encyclopedia of Life
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^ Ya Tang, Michael G. Gilbert & Laurence J. Dorr. "Firmiana simplex". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
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^ Anon, Nature, August 7, 1884, pp 337-338
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^ "Read the eBook Useful plants of Japan, described and illustrated. By Bombay (Presidency). Government Central Museum online for free (Page 7 of 18)".
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^ "Useful plants of Japan, described and illustrated". 1895.
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^ Little, Elbert L. (1980). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region. New York: Knopf. p. 603. ISBN 0-394-50760-6.
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^ "Controlling the Invasive Chinese Parasol Tree in St. Francisville, Louisiana and West Feliciana Parish".
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^ Miller, J.H., E.B, Chambliss, N.J. Loewenstein. 2010. A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests. General Technical Report SRS-119. Asheville, NC. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
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Firmiana simplex: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Firmiana simplex –
MHNT Firmiana simplex, commonly known as the Chinese parasol tree, Chinese parasoltree, or wutong (Chinese: 梧桐; pinyin: wútóng), is an ornamental plant of tree size assigned to the family Malvaceae that was formerly in the family Sterculiaceae in the order Malvales, and is native to Asia. It grows up to 16 m (52 ft) tall.
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