Appearance
Firmiana simplex, parasoltree, is a deciduous tree native to Asia. It has green stems and bark. F. simplex has a dense, upright, oval canopy and grows from 35-50 ft. (10-15 m) tall with a spread of between 15-20 ft. (4.6-6 m).

Foliage
The alternate, bright green, palmately veined, three to five-lobed leaves of F. simplex are extremely large with each leaf reaching up to 12 in. (30.5 cm) across. The foliage of F. simplex often turns bright yellow in fall.

Flowers
Firmiana simplex has abundant showy slightly fragrant flowers that appear in late spring or early summer. The flowers are held in the terminal, large 10-20 in. (25.4-50.8 cm) wide, loose panicles clustered at the tips of last year’s branches. The flowers lack petals but have sepals that are yellow and white.

Fruit
F. simplex fruit are peculiar pods that split open into petal-like sections to reveal the small, round seeds.

Ecological Threat
Firmiana simplex is beginning to be reported more often along roadsides and other disturbed areas. This plant is self-fertile which means it only takes one tree to produce fertile seeds. The prolific seed production along with its quick growth and aggressive competition make F. simplex a candidate for EDRR - Early Detection & Rapid Response program in the warmer regions of the United States.

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 4
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References