Liriodendron chinense
Common name:
Chinese Tuliptree
Pronunciation:
lir-ee-o-DEN-dron chi-nen-SE
Family:
Magnoliaceae
Genus:
Type:
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon:
No
- Deciduous tree, similar to the American native Liriodendron tulipifera but somewhat smaller, fast growing, may reach 80 ft (24 m), broadly columnar. Leaves alternate, simple, they are orange to brown when unfolding in spring, at maturity about 15 cm long, more deeply lobed than L. tulipifera [but More & White (2005) state that this is not a consistent feature], base often rounded, dark green above; foliage yellow, brown in fall. Flowers tulip-like (cup-shaped), 3-4 petals, outside green, interior yellow, filaments only 5 mm long. Fruit cone-like, 7-9 cm long, green then brown.
- Sun. Best in moist soil that is well drained
- Hardy to USDA Zone 7 Very rare in North America landscape, although the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew, states it is a "far superior species". Native to central China and Vietnam. Apparently a rare, threatened tree in the wild, fast disappearing due to large scale logging.
Click image to enlarge
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plant habit
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