Japanese name: キレハアラリア Scientific name:Polyscias filicifolia
[Overview]
An evergreen shrub 2–2.5 m tall.
The branches are often tinged with red.
The leaves are alternate, odd-pinnately compound, 30–60 cm long, and the leaflets are further pinnately divided, with serrated or entire margins.
The leaf shape varies; in old plants the leaflets become broad and the midrib is tinged with purple.
Many white to yellowish white flowers are borne in compound umbels.
The fruit is a drupe.
[History]
It was introduced to Japan in the early Showa period.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It is safest to keep it at 10°C or above over winter.
It prefers full sun to partial shade and fertile, well-drained soil.
It tolerates shade, but if the site is too dark the leaves turn yellow and drop.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
Low air humidity makes spider mites likely, so it is good to mist the leaves from time to time.
In spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil, or give liquid fertilizer once a month.
When the branches grow long, leaves of a different shape appear, so cut back branches that have grown too long.
Aphids, scale insects and spider mites can occur.
