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Polyscias fruticosa

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Polyscias fruticosa (L.) Harms

Family Name: Araliaceae
Synonyms: Aralia fruticosa, Nothopanax fruticosus, Panax fruticosus, Tieghemopanax fruticosus, Aralaia deleauana, Aralia massangeana, Aralia tripinnata, Polyscias fruticosa var. plumata
Common Name: Ming Aralia, 南洋参, 羽叶南洋参

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Shrubby
Maximum Height 5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Bismarck Archipelago, Maluku, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Queensland, Sulawesi, Vanuatu
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Small to medium-sized shrub or treelet, able to grow up to 3 - 5 m tall.
Foliage Green leaves; 3-5-pinnate, mostly 3-pinnately compound; petiole measuring about 5 - 15 cm long, petiolules measuring about 1 - 5 cm long, lanceolate leaflets with toothed margins.
Flowers Pale yellow to white flowers in a terminal inflorescence, a panicle of umbels, andromonoecious (having both male and bisexual flowers in the same plant). <1>
Fruit Fruit is an orbicular to ovate-orbicular drupe, flattened laterally, measuring 4 - 5 mm long and 4.5 - 6 mm wide.
Etymology Genus Polyscias means "many-shaded" and refers to the foliage of the plant. Species epithet fruticosa refers to the shrub-like habit of the plant.
Ethnobotanical Uses Medicinal: The leaves are commonly used to treat hemorrhoids in Malaysia.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Hedge / Screening, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Suitable for Bonsai

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type Compound (Tripinnate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Margin Serrate / Toothed, Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White, White
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location Terminal
Inflorescence Type Panicle

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) White
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit

Image Repository

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Others

Master ID 30286
Species ID 4595
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 26 July 2024.
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