Polyscias

We have two species of Polyscias, Pencil cedar and Elderberry panax.

Pencil cedar (Polyscias murrayii) is one of the fastest-growing rainforest trees. Like other pioneer species, it regenerates best outside the canopy of mature rainforest. With sufficient moisture and nutrient, it grows well ahead of any competing species. These seedlings in pots have been saved from a disturbed site below a pigeon roost. Pigeons eat the berries of this tree and then void the seeds where they roost, often some distance away.

A few years after this seedling stage, the long pinnate leaves of the pencil cedar can only be seen by peering well up into the canopy.

You only get this rate of growth on the most fertile sites. Such places are easily recognised by their luxuriant growth of weeds. Pencil cedars are ideal for situations of that kind. They suck up the excess nutrients and, in doing so, quickly provide the shelter that slower-growing and more shade-tolerant species require.

The related species elderberry panax Polyscias sambucifolia doesn't grow into such an imposing tree as pencil cedar, but it also provides fruit for birds which therefore spread its seeds.

Seedlings of elderberry panax are shown below and opposite.