Firmiana simplex aka Chinese Bottle Tree

Firmiana simplex has the common name Chinese parasol tree. It belongs to the mallow family and sheds its leaves each year. It grows wild in Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. Its native range also includes southern Japan and Taiwan. It grows along roads and in other disturbed sites. Garden trees reach 30–45 feet [9.1–13.7 metres] tall. Their crowns spread 20–30 feet [6.1–9.1 metres] wide. Other accounts give heights of 50–66 feet [15–20 metres]. The trunk grows straight up and holds a dense, round crown. This crown casts deep shade.

Young bark is green and thin, with pale stripes. Older bark stays smooth but turns gray or chalky white. Thick green twigs bear round scars where leaves once grew. Their reddish-brown buds have hairs. The leaves grow one after another along the stems, in an alternate pattern. Each leaf has three to five lobes. Its veins spread like fingers. Leaves span up to 1 foot [0.3 metres] across. The tops are smooth, while fine hairs cover the backs. They turn yellow in fall before they drop.

Small, star-shaped flowers grow at the branch tips. They form loose clusters called panicles. These can reach 1 foot [0.3 metres] long. The flowers have colored sepals but no petals. Their colors range from cream to yellow-green. They have a mild scent. Most bloom in June and July. Reports give a wider span, from May through August. Bees and butterflies visit the flowers. Dry fruits with a leathery feel ripen from late summer into fall. They split into parts shaped like leaves. These reveal round, reddish-brown seeds. The pods also hold a brown fluid that looks like varnish.

Grow this tree in sun or part shade. It grows in several soil types but needs good drainage. It does best with a steady supply of moisture. Once well rooted, trees can cope with some drought. Missouri Botanical Garden gives USDA hardiness zones 7–9. Oregon State also notes that it may survive in zone 6. Shelter helps shield its weak branches from wind damage. You may need to prune it to keep its shape. Most accounts report few major pest or disease problems. Poor drainage can cause root rot. Trunk scale can kill trees.

Gardeners plant it for shade and along streets. They also use it in woodland gardens. Fallen leaves and fruit can make paving messy. It grows so many seedlings that it has become invasive. This occurs in several southeastern US states. Dry pods serve as indoor decorations. People use its wood for furniture and coffins. They also make soundboards for Chinese instruments from it. Bark fibre supplies rope and cloth. Sources list roasted seeds as food and note their oily texture. They also describe traditional remedies for swelling and skin sores. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants report no known hazards.