Firmiana simplex
Common name: 
Chinese Parasol Tree
Japanese Varnish Tree
Phoenix Tree
Pronunciation: 
fir-me-AH-na SIM-plex
Family: 
Malvaceae, Sterculiaceae
Genus: 
Firmiana
Synonyms: 
F. platanifolia
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree to 50 ft (15 m) tall, round headed, slow growing, with smooth gray-green bark.   Leaves simple, alternate, palmately lobed, 15-20 cm long and wide, base cordate, entire, glabrous above and tomentose below.  Flowers small, yellowish-green, in terminal clusters 20-30 cm long.   Fruit at first pod-like, then opening to leaf-like sections; releases a brownish, varnish-like fluid, pea-sized seeds on the margins.
  • Sun or part shade.  Adaptable to many soil types.  Protect from wind.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (6) 7     Native to China.
  • simplex: simple, the leaves
Click image to enlarge
  • expanding leaves, spring

    expanding leaves, spring

  • plant habit

    plant habit

  • leaves

    leaves

  • leaf

    leaf

  • fruit

    fruit

  • plant habit, early all

    plant habit, early fall

  • leaf, fall

    leaf, fall

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark

  • twig, bud, winter

    twig, bud, winter