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Japanese Varnish Tree Firmiana simplex

Previously known as:

  • Firmiana platanifolia
  • Hibiscus simplex
Phonetic Spelling
fir-me-AH-na SIM-plex
Description

Chinese parasol tree is a  small to medium-sized, fast-growing, deciduous tree in the Malvaceae or mallow family that has a unique appearance. This tree grows quickly and aggressively to 30 to 45 feet tall and  20 to 30 feet wide with a dense rounded canopy.  It is noted for its green stems and green bark as well as its bold, bright green, large-lobed leaves. The leaves grow 8 to 12 inches across enabling it to cast dense shade like a parasol, hence the common name. Long panicles of lightly fragrant white to yellow-green flowers occur in late spring or early summer, followed by unusual showy seed pods. The flower stalks persist on the tree and can be somewhat unsightly. Bright yellow fall color appears before the leaves drop revealing more of the structure of the tree and its unusual green bark that matches the color of the stems. This tree is self-fertile meaning it can reseed itself easily.  

This tree is native to Eastern China, Japan, Taiwan, and parts of Vietnam.  It is found growing along roadsides and other disturbed areas. The Chinese parasol tree was brought to North America in the late1700s by Andre Michaux who planted it in his garden in Charleston, South Carolina. It has been grown as an ornamental or street tree since that time and is found in at least 20 states. 

The genus name, Firmiana, is in honor of Karl Josef von Firmian of the Austrian Empire, the Governor of Lombardy. and a patron of the botanic garden of Padua. The specific epithet, simplex, refers to the leaf type and means simple. This tree has many common names. The Japanese Varnish Tree references the brownish, varnish-like liquid that is found in the seed pods. The Phoenix Tree refers to the Phoenix bird of Chinese legend that is said to have perched on the Firmiana tree. 

This tree will grow in sun to partial shade and in a variety of soils if they are well-drained.  In sandy soils, it is a prolific self-seeder.  The branches are susceptible to breakage and need constant pruning to maintain shape. It is best planted in protected sites to prevent wind damage. This tree is drought-tolerant once established and deer. Bees and butterflies are attracted to fragrant flowers.

The Chinese parasol tree may be considered for use as an urban tree in parking lots or highway medians. While it is sometimes used as a specimen or shade tree because of its unusual form and color, it may be best to consider another type of tree or consider a native tree instead. This tree grows quickly, is aggressive, and is a prolific seed producer, particularly in the warmer regions of the United States. It is listed as invasive in several southeastern states.

Seasons of Interest:

Bark:  Winter              Bloom: Late Spring and Early Summer            Foliage:  Spring, Summer, and Fall      Fruits:  Summer and Fall

Quick ID Hints:

  • small to medium-sized tree with green stems and green bark
  • large, bold, bright green, 3 to 5 lobes, palmately veined, and measuring up to  12 inches in width
  • abundant, fragrant, apetalous flowers with white to creamy and greenish-yellow sepals, arranged in terminal panicles
  • pod-like fruits that contain a brownish-varnish-like liquid and small, pea-like seeds

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Chinese Parasol Tree has no serious insect pests or disease problems. Root rot may occur if the soil is not adequately drained. The trunk scale can kill this tree if not controlled. This tree is capable of becoming weedy due to seedlings and is considered invasive in some southern states including SC, GA, MS, and TN. The fruit and large leaf litter can be messy on hardscape surfaces.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Variegata’
    Green and white dappled leaves
‘Variegata’
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#interesting bark#large leaves#interesting leaves#high maintenance#street tree#aggressive#deer resistant#weak wood#self-seeding#disturbed areas#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#green bark#flowers late spring#fruits summer#messy fruits#flowers early summer#fall color yellow#bee friendly#roadside#self-fertile#dense growth#weed#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course#weedy
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Variegata’
    Green and white dappled leaves
‘Variegata’
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#interesting bark#large leaves#interesting leaves#high maintenance#street tree#aggressive#deer resistant#weak wood#self-seeding#disturbed areas#hairy leaves#pollinator plant#green bark#flowers late spring#fruits summer#messy fruits#flowers early summer#fall color yellow#bee friendly#roadside#self-fertile#dense growth#weed#pollinator garden#landscape plant sleuths course#weedy
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Firmiana
    Species:
    simplex
    Family:
    Malvaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The wood is used for the soundboards of several Chinese instruments. It has also been used to make furniture and coffins. Medicinal uses of products from this tree include making salves and lotions to reduce swelling and treat carbuncles and sores.
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central & S. China to Vietnam, S. Japan to Taiwan
    Distribution:
    Native: Bangladesh, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Nansei-Shoto, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Introduced: Europe, Korea, Mauritius, and the United States: AL, AR, CA, DC, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers attract butterflies and bees.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Shade
    Dimensions:
    Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Tree
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    In the fall, the fruits ripen. They appear large, pod-like, leathery, dry, and green to brown. The pods are 3 to 4 inches long and split open into four petal-like sections to reveal small pea-like, round seeds. The seeds are 1/4 inch in diameter and reddish-brown. The pods also contain a brownish, varnish-like liquid. The pods are used in decorations. Fruits ripen in late summer and persist into the fall.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small, star-shaped, white to creamy, or yellow-green sepals that are arranged in up to 12-inch long terminal panicles. The flowers lack petals and are mildly fragrant. They bloom in late spring to early summer May through August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Palmasect
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are large, bold, simple, alternate, and palmately lobed. They have 3 to 5 lobes, and palmate veining, and measure 8 to 12 inches across and 4 to 8 inches long. The upper surface is smooth, and the undersides are pubescent. The margins are entire, and the base of the leaf is cordate. The fall leaf color is yellow.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Green
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Smooth
    Bark Description:
    The bark is thin, and green with pale greenish-white stripes and becomes dark gray, light gray, or chalky white and smooth. It typically has one trunk.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
    Round
    Stem Description:
    The stems are stout, and green with a circular leaf scar. The bud is large, round, and has hairy reddish-brown scales.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Butterfly Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Shade Tree
    Street Tree
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Problems:
    Messy
    Weak Wood
    Weedy