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Summary
Bloom Color: White, Yellow.
Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Oval, Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Firmiana simplex is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower in July. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
F. platinifolia. Hibiscus simplex. Sterculia mariesii. S. platinifolia.
Habitats
Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:
Seed - roasted[105, 177]. An oily texture[178].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic Astringent Expectorant Refrigerant Salve
Astringent, salve[178]. The seed is antiphlogistic, expectorant and refrigerant[218]. A decoction of the roots is used to reduce swellings[218]. A lotion of the leaves is used in the treatment of carbuncles, haemorrhoids and sores[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.
An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.
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Other Uses
Fibre Hair Wood
A fibre is obtained by retting the bark[46, 61]. It is used for coarse cordage[109] and cloth[178]. A hair wash is made from the leaves and fibre[178]. Wood. Used for making furniture and coffins[46, 61, 178].
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Industrial Crop: Fiber Industrial Crop: Gum Management: Standard Regional Crop
Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Pollard, Specimen. Prefers a good sandy loam[1]. Requires a well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil in full sun or light shade[188]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, they succeed outdoors in the mildest parts of the country[11, 166], though they do not reach tree-size[188]. Trees cast a heavy shade[178]. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.
Carbon Farming
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Industrial Crop: Fiber
Clothing, rugs, sheets, blankets etc. Currently, almost none of our fiber are produced from perennial crops but could be!
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Industrial Crop: Gum
Used as thickeners and gelling agents. Non-destructively harvested gums come from tapped trees and seed.
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
Shop Now
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[200]. The stored seed can be sown in the early spring in a greenhouse[1] and usually germinates within 2 months[K]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(L.)W.Wight.
Botanical References
11109200
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment