Family: Malvaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Firmiana simplex, commonly known as the Chinese parasol tree, is native to East Asia, including China, Taiwan, and Japan. It is a fast-growing deciduous tree valued for its broad, tropical-looking leaves and smooth green bark that becomes mottled with age. The tree produces small yellow-green flowers followed by distinctive seed pods. It is often planted as an ornamental shade tree in warm climates due to its attractive form and drought tolerance.
Risks & Threats:
Although Firmiana simplex is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that raise concern. It can grow quickly, produce abundant seeds, and establish in a variety of conditions, increasing its potential to spread beyond cultivation. In tropical island ecosystems like Hawaiʻi, such characteristics could allow it to compete with native vegetation and alter habitat structure. Caution is advised, and planting should be carefully considered. Choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Broad climate suitability (temperate to subtropical)
- Capable of growing in subtropical climates
- Widely naturalized in southern USA
- Garden and landscape weed
- Environmental weed in southern US forests, excluding native vegetation
- Seedlings are shade-tolerant
- Tolerates many soil types
- Reported to form dense stands in Louisiana
- Reproduces by seeds
- Self-compatible
- Rapid growth rate
- Seeds dispersed by wind, water and intentionally by people
- Tolerates cutting and heavy pruning
Low Risk Traits:
- Native to regions with temperate to subtropical climates. May limit invasiveness to higher elevations of tropical islands
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
- Palatable to browsing and grazing animals
- Non-toxic
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Despite rapid growth rate, not reported to reach reproductive maturity for possibly 10+ years
- Herbicides may provide effective control
