Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

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Tuesday - May 20, 2008

From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Plant Identification
Title: Identity of 50 ft. tree
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I live in Austin and I have a tall (50-ft) tree outside my window. It's deciduous and has shiny, deep green, spear-tip, serrated leaves that vary in size from about hand- to dinner-plate size. I've never noticed any flower or fruit. It tolerates direct sun all day. The trunk divides about every ten feet. I thought it might be Ash, but I'm no tree guy.

ANSWER:

About the only tree I can think of with leaves that large is Firmiana simplex (Chinese parasol tree). As the common name suggest, it is a native of Asia—China and Japan. Here is another photo and more information and yet more information and another photo.