Chinese Parasol-tree

Firmiana simplex

Found in forests, edges, disturbed areas; planted and naturalizing. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height: 30–45 feet
Spread: 20–30 feet
Light: Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture: Usually moist

See native alternatives

Firmiana simplex — fruit photograph — 小石川人晃 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Original photograph

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At a glance

Life cycle: Woody perennial
Leaves: Deciduous
Bloom: May to August
Fruiting season: June to October

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Recorded in 6 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Malvaceae
Hardiness: Zones 7a–9b
Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline
Flower color: Cream, yellow, green or white
Fruit begins: June
Fruit ends: October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “May to August” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Cream, yellow, green or white” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Fruit begins · “June” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Fruit ends · “October” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Hardiness · “Zones 7a–9b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “30–45 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Leaves · “Deciduous” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Woody perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Moist” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic to alkaline” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “20–30 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Chinese Parasol Tree; Chinese Parasoltree; Firmiana platanifolia; Phoenix Tree

Conservation status

Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source