Plant Name        Firmiana simplex             

                Common name:        Chinese parasoltree     

                Marathi:             

                Hindi:  

                English:                      Aogiri · Chinese Parasol              

                Jawhar:               

Identification guide

Stems

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically one trunk, thorns

Leaves 

It has alternate, deciduous leaves up to 30 cm (12 inches) across and small fragrant, greenish-white flowers borne in large inflorescences.

Flowers               

Flower color: yellow, white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Fruits

Fruit shape: elongated, oval

Fruit length: less than .5 inch

Fruit covering: dry or hard

Fruit color: green, tan

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Habit / Habitat

Along the sides of roads at low elevations.

Firmiana simplex is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.

It is hardy to zone (UK) 9. It is in flower in July. The flowers are 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: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." 

Occurrence

Eastern China, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam 

Edible parts

World wide use:                                       Seed - roasted

Used by tribal community in Jawhar:     Seeds

Method of consumption

Jawhar tribal:    Seeds are consumed

Medicinal use

Astringent, salve. The seed is antiphlogistic, expectorant and refrigerant. A decoction of the roots is used to reduce swellings. A lotion of the leaves is used in the treatment of carbuncles, haemorrhoids and sores.

Nutritional and medicinal information

Astringent, salve.

The seed is antiphlogistic, expectorant and refrigerant.

A decoction of the roots is used to reduce swellings.

A lotion of the leaves is used in the treatment of carbuncles, haemorrhoids and sores.

Harvesting and preserving

A subtropical tree, it succeeds at higher elevations in the tropics.

Prefers a good sandy loam. Requires a well-drained but moisture-retentive fertile soil in full sun or light shade.

Trees cast a heavy shade             

Propagation and Storage

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. The stored seed can be sown in the early spring in a greenhouse and usually germinates within 2 month. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out.              

Other uses

A fibre is obtained by retting the bark. It is used for coarse cordage and cloth.

A hair wash is made from the leaves and fiber.

Wood. Used for making furniture and coffins.

Due to its superior sonic properties, the wood is used for the soundboards of several Chinese instruments, including the guqin and guzheng.

Classification

Kingdom:            Plantae

Division:              Sermatophyta

Sub-division:     Angiospermae

Class:                    Dioctyledonae

Sub-Class:           Polypetalae

Series:                  Thalamiflorae

Order:                   Malvales

Family:                Sterculiaceae

Genus:                 Firmiana

 Species:              simplex

References

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st259

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Firmiana+simplex

http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287262&isprofile=0&

http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Firmiana+simplex