Chinese Tulip Tree

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Central China

Source of plant

Botanic Garden of Smith College

Description

Tall tree reaching 15 m in height with gray bark. Leaves usually larger than those of L. tulipifera and much more deeply lobed, normally with only one pair of basal lobes, bluish beneath with papillae. Flowers smaller than on L. tulipifera, petals 3-4 cm long, exterior green, interior yellow, effective in May and June; filaments to 5 mm long(!); fruit cones 7-9 cm long, fruit segments obtuse at the wing apexes.

USDA Hardiness Zone

8