Parasol Tree is Firmiana simplex
You won't be able to make a cake with this member of the cocoa family, but you will enjoy a fast growing, unique tree in your yard. They will grow to 30 feet tall and the large leaves create a parasol of shade that can extend to 20 feet across. Firmiana simplex, Parasol Tree, has sweetly scented flowers followed by seed pods that can be used in dried flower arrangements. North Carolina State University has a photo of the tree in bloom. The seeds that follow will make little trees where they fall. Duke's site has a good photo of the seedpods. Lucky for us, we visited Christina Logan in Tulsa on a day she had a few seedlings to share. The Logan's have Parasol Trees along their driveway and in the back yard where they create a tropical look. The Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett lists these common names for the Parasol Tree, Chinese Parasol Tree, Chinese Varnish-Tree, Phoenix-Tree, Bottle-Tree, and Chinese Bottle Tree. The bark is green and since the tree does not branch out like...