Japanese name: ヤドリフカノキ Scientific name:Schefflera arboricola
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 3–7 m tall.
It is somewhat epiphytic and often leans on other trees.
It branches well; the branches are green at first and later turn gray-brown.
Leaves are alternate, with petioles 10–20 cm long, and bear 7–9 leaflets arranged palmately.
The leaflets are 6–10 cm long and 1.5–3.5 cm wide, leathery, glossy and dark green.
Many flowers are borne in panicles 20–30 cm long at the branch tips.
The buds are dark red, but the flowers are cream-colored.
The fruit is spherical and ripens yellow.
[Uses]
The roots, stems and leaves are used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings or layering, though seed is also possible.
It is very cold-hardy and withstands temperatures around 0°C.
It is also drought-tolerant and shade-tolerant.
It sprouts vigorously and so tolerates hard pruning.
The branches are soft and bend easily unless supported with stakes.
For potted plants, water thoroughly after the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
From spring to autumn, place slow-release fertilizer on the soil.
Scale insects can occur.
