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Firmiana simplex

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Author: William Franklin Wight, 1909
Family:  STERCULIACEAE*
Origin:  Bangladesh, China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam
Soil:  Rich
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  35 Centimetres
Height:  16 Metres
Flower:  Light Greenish Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Chinese Parasol-Tree, Japanese Varnish-Tree, Phoenix-Tree,  
Synonyms:  Hibiscus simplex Carl Linné, 1763. 
Sterculia platanifolia
Linné f. 1782.
Sterculia urens
Roxb. 1795.
Firmiana platanifolia
Schott & Endl. 1832.
Kavalama urens
Raf, 1838.
Caucanthus platanifolia,
Raf.
Clompanus pyriformis,
Kuntze.
Clompanus simplex,
Kuntze.
Culhamia hadiensis,
J.F.Gmel.
Culhamia platanifolia,
Steud.
Culhamia simplex,
Nakai.
Culhamia triloba,
Raf.
Firmiana chinensis,
Medik. ex Steud.
Firmiana platanifolia
var. tomentosa, Sa.Kurata.
Sterculia fiorniana,
J.F.Gmel.
Sterculia firmiana,
J.F.Gmel.
Sterculia pyriformis,
Bunge.
Sterculia simplex,
Druce.
Sterculia tomentosa,
Thunb.

This member of the Sterculiaceae* family was given this name by William Franklin Wight  in 1909. It is found in China, Bangladesh, Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam, growing in a drained soil with quite some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to 35 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 16 metres in height. The flowers are light greenish yellow.

The genera name  in honour of Joseph von Firmian, 18th century Imperial Governor of Lombardy. The species name meaning 'unbranched'.

*)Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Sterculiaceae is now part of the Malvaceae.