Edible Plants of the World

Chinese parasol tree, Phoenix tree, Japanese varnish tree, Chinese bottle tree

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to E Asia. It can grow in light shade. It needs wind protection. It can tolerate salt spray. It can stand very light frosts. It is best in well drained loams. It can tolerate fairly acid or alkaline soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Hobart Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Also known as:

Kadaya, Kudal, Kullu, Kuthada, Sardol, Thondi, Vennaali, Wutong

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does Chinese parasol tree grow?

Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tasmania, United States, Vietnam

Notes: There are 12 Firmiana species. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Growing Chinese parasol tree, Phoenix tree, Japanese varnish tree, Chinese bottle tree

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The seed should be sown as soon as they ripen. The pulp should be washed from the seed. Seedlings should be grown for one year before planting out. They are easy to transplant. Trees should be spaced 6-10 m apart.

Edible Uses: The seeds are cooked and eaten as a delicacy. They are also roasted and used for a tea drink. The gum is used for chocolates.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Seeds dried 533 20 4.8 - - - 2.5

References

Arinathan, V., et al, 2007, Wild edibles used by Palliyars of the western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1) pp 163-168 (As Sterculia urens)

Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 605

Dobriyal, M. J. R. & Dobriyal, R., 2014, Non Wood Forest Produce an Option for Ethnic Food and Nutritional Security in India. Int. J. of Usuf. Mngt. 15(1):17-37 (As Sterculia urens)

Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 329

Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org

Food Composition Tables for use in East Asia FAO http://www.fao.org/infoods/directory No. 331

Hanelt, P. (Ed.), Mansfeld's Encyclopedia Vol. 4 (As Sterculia urens)

Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 102

Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 545

Jadhav, R., et al, 2015, Forest Foods of Northern Western Ghats: Mode of Consumption, Nutrition and Availability. Asian Agri-History Vol. 19, No. 4: 293-317 (As Sterculia urens)

Little, E.L., 1980, National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. Alfred A. Knopf. p 602

Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 56

Lyle, S., 2006, Discovering fruit and nuts. Land Links. p 208

Pandy, R. K. & Saini, S. K., 2007, Edible plants of tropical forests among tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge. 6(1), pp 185-190 (As Sterculia urens)

Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/

Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 27

Saidulu, P. et al, 2015, Ethnobotanical Knowledge Studied in Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana, India. Not Sci Biol, 2015, 7(2):164 -170

Toppo, P. et al, 2016, Wild edible plants of Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, India. Van Sangyan Vol. 3, No. 4 (As Sterculia urens)

U.S.D.A. Bur. Pl. Industr. Bull. 142:67. 1909

Valder, P., 1999, The Garden Plants of China. Florilegium. p 286

World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/treedb/ (As Sterculia urens)

Yesodharan, K. & Sujana, K. A., 2007, Wild edible plants traditionally used by the tribes in the Parambokulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India. Natural Product Radiance 6(1) pp 74-80