SCIENTIFIC NAME: Firmiana simplex

COMMON NAME: Chinese parasol tree

LEAVES: Very large and palmately veined with 3 to 5 lobes. Has a very long petiole. To 2' long.

GROWTH RATE: 2'/yr. in our shade tree study.

FLOWERS: Greenish flowers in clusters in early summer. Not attractive.

FRUIT: Brown pods to 4" long that when split open looks like a modified leaf with little seed on the edge of the brown leaf-like fruit coat. Not showy. Strange looking.

BARK: Smooth with vertical lines that are green and white.

OTHER: Very coarse textured. Grows 30' to 50' tall. Buds have velvety, red hairs. Tropical look. The fruit is on the edge of modified leaves. Don't grow above Atlanta because of cold damage. A member of the Sterculiaceae family.