Firmiana simplex

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids II
Ordo: Malvales

Familia: Malvaceae
Subfamilia: Sterculioideae
Genus: Firmiana
Species: Firmiana simplex
Name

Firmiana simplex (L.) W.Wight, 1909.
Synonyms

Basionym
Hibiscus simplex L., Sp. Pl. ed 2, 2: 977. 1763.
Homotypic
Culhamia simplex (L.) Nakai, Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus., Tokyo No. 31, 76. 1952.
Sterculia simplex (L.) Druce, Rep. Bot. Exch. Cl. Brit. Isles 3: 425. 1913.
Heterotypic
Firmiana chinensis Medik. ex Steud., Nom. Bot. 814. 1821.
Firmiana platanifolia (L.f.) Schott & Endl., Melet. Bot. 33. 1832.
Firmiana platanifolia f. tomentosa (Thunb.) Hara, Enum. sperm. Jap. 3: 153. 1954.
Firmiana simplex var. glabra Hatus., J. Jap. Bot. 24: 83. 1949.
Sterculia firmiana J.F.Gmel., Syst. Nat., ed. 13 [bis]. 2(2): 1632. 1792.
Sterculia platanifolia L.f., Suppl. Pl. 423. 1781.
Sterculia pyriformis Bunge, Enum. Pl. Chin. Bor. (Bunge) 9. 1833.
Sterculia tomentosa Thunb., Icon. Pl. Jap. 4. 1802.

References

Wight, W.F. 1909. Bull. Bur. Pl. Industr. U.S.D.A. 142:67.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Wight in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.
Firmiana simplex (L.) W. Wight – Taxon details on Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
Firmiana platanifolia – Taxon details on National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).
EOL: Firmiana simplex

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 that has recently been assigned to the family Malvaceae and was formerly 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

"Firmiana simplex" at the Encyclopedia of Life
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.
Anon, Nature, August 7, 1884, pp 337-338
"Read the eBook Useful plants of Japan, described and illustrated. By Bombay (Presidency). Government Central Museum online for free (Page 7 of 18)".
"Useful plants of Japan, described and illustrated". 1895.
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.
"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.