Schefflera Actinophylla

Scientific Name: Schefflera actinophylla

Common Name: Umbrella Plant

Family: Araliaceae

General Information

Heptapleurum actinophyllum(formerly Schefflera actinophylla) is a tree in the family Araliaceae. It is native to tropical rainforests and gallery forests in northern and north-eastern Queensland coasts and the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as New Guinea and Java

Features of Schefflera actinophylla that make it identifiable:

Bark: greenish or gray, and smooth

Leaf: is dark green and shiny on top, paler green underneath. Classified as a broadleaf evergreen

Flower : bright red, showy; emerges in clusters on 2'–4' long

Fruit: Fruit color is purplish-red and yellow with a fleshy drupe covering, does not attract wildlife

Uses

According to the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine, schefflera has bitter, sweet and warm properties, and is associated with the Liver meridian. Its main functions are to promote the circulation of the blood and to alleviate pain. sore and/or swollen throat. It can also help to relieve asthma.