Firmiana simplex
Species of flowering plant
title: "Firmiana simplex" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["sterculioideae", "trees-of-china", "trees-of-japan", "flora-of-the-ryukyu-islands", "trees-of-taiwan", "trees-of-vietnam", "garden-plants-of-asia", "ornamental-trees"] description: "Species of flowering plant" topic_path: "geography/china" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firmiana_simplex" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Species of flowering plant ::
|name = Chinese parasol tree |image = Firmiana simplex3.jpg |status = LC |status_system = IUCN3.1 |status_ref = |genus = Firmiana |species = simplex |authority = (L.) W.Wight |synonyms =
- Hibiscus collinus Roxb.
- Hibiscus simplex L.
- Firmiana platanifolia R.Br.
- Sterculia platanifolia L.f.
- Sterculia simplex (L.) Druce
- Sterculia urens Roxb. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Firmiana_simplex_MHNT.BOT.2010.4.3.jpg" caption="''Firmiana simplex'' – [[MHNT"] ::
Firmiana simplex, commonly known as the Chinese parasol tree, or wutong (; jap.: godō), is a tree in the family Malvaceae, formerly in the family Sterculiaceae, in the order Malvales, and native to Asia. It grows up to 16 m tall.
Description
It has alternate, deciduous leaves 15 – across, palmately lobed with three or five lobes, 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 scent with citronella and chocolate tones. The flowers are pollinated by bees. The seedpod is like a pair of brown ovate leaves with seeds along the edges. Up to five pairs are produced by each flower.
Uses
Due to its sonic properties, the wood is used for the soundboards of several Chinese instruments, including the guqin and guzheng.
The roasted seeds have reportedly been used to make into a tea.
The Taivoan people in the Nanzixian River basin of Taiwan harvest the tough bark of 2–3-year-old trees. After soaking it by the river for about a month, they remove the rotted bark and twist the remaining fibers into ropes. These ropes can be used for making traps or other binding purposes, particularly for constructing wild boar traps. The robust nature of these ropes helps prevent the boars from escaping.
Invasive species
It is grown as an ornamental tree in warm regions of North America; it has become an aggressive, invasive weed in the region. It is self-fertile, and its seeds spread readily, especially along watercourses, growing rapidly after germination in favorable sites. The seedlings compete effectively with many other species.
References
References
- (2019). "''Firmiana simplex''".
- {{eol. 584813
- Ya Tang, Michael G. Gilbert & Laurence J. Dorr. "''Firmiana simplex''". Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
- Hogan, Sean. (2004). "Flora - The Gardener's Bible". Global Book Pub. Pty. Ltd..
- Little, Elbert L.. (1980). "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees: Eastern Region". Knopf.
- Mata Taiwan. "楠梓仙溪流域大武壠族民族植物：青桐樹".
- "Controlling the Invasive Chinese Parasol Tree in St. Francisville, Louisiana and West Feliciana Parish".
- 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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