Synonyms

Schefflera arboricola

Systematic Position

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Order: Apiales

Family: Araliaceae

Native: Taiwan

Common Names

English – Dwarf umbrella tree, Arboricola Tree

Malayalam –  schefflera

Description:
It is a compact evergreen shrub with glossy, palmately compound leaves, popular as a houseplant for its ornamental value and easy maintenance. This plant has attractive, glossy palmate leaves comprising 7 to 9 oval leaflets arranged in a whorl, resembling the spokes of an umbrella. It grows up to 8–9m tall. However regular pruning makes the plant short. Sometimes, especially in natural habitat, clinging to the trunks of other trees and grow as an epiphyte. he leaves are leathery in texture, smooth and shiny green on the upper surface and somewhat lighter and thin hairy on the underside.

Habitat:  Typically grows in subtropical or tropical regions, often found in forests or woodland areas.

Distribution: Indigenous to China, but has widely naturalized elsewhere.

Uses: Ornamental Plant.