Dwarf Umbrella Tree
(Schefflera arboricola)
Dwarf Umbrella Tree (Schefflera arboricola)
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Forest & Kim Starr
CC BY 3.0
Image By:
Forest & Kim Starr
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Copyright:
CC BY 3.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Forest & Kim Starr | License Type: CC BY 3.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 | Uploader: BotMultichill | Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Title: Starr_020108-0006_Schefflera_arboricola.jpg | Notes: Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran: leaf |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Schefflera arboricola, commonly known as Dwarf Umbrella Tree, is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the forested, moist, and shaded areas of Taiwan. It typically grows to 8–9 meters tall and can be free-standing or epiphytic, often clinging to other trees. The plant features compound leaves that resemble an umbrella’s spokes, contributing to its common name. From midsummer to early autumn, it produces flowers in a 20 cm panicle of small umbels, each 7–10 mm in diameter with 5–10 hermaphroditic flowers, yellow to green in color with radial symmetry. The fruits, which ripen from late summer to early winter, start as orange glandular points and mature to red-violet, but are inedible to humans.
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is favored for its ease of maintenance and adaptability to various growing conditions, making it a popular houseplant. It thrives in higher light but can tolerate lower light levels, and while it prefers moist soil, it is important to let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. In milder climates free of severe frosts, it is used in landscaping for its attractive foliage, which can be variegated in some cultivars. It requires well-drained soil and can handle a range of humidity levels. However, it can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting it outdoors.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Dwarf Umbrella Tree is favored for its ease of maintenance and adaptability to various growing conditions, making it a popular houseplant. It thrives in higher light but can tolerate lower light levels, and while it prefers moist soil, it is important to let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot. In milder climates free of severe frosts, it is used in landscaping for its attractive foliage, which can be variegated in some cultivars. It requires well-drained soil and can handle a range of humidity levels. However, it can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting it outdoors.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub, Tree
- Height: 10-25 feet
- Width: 4-8 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Forested, moist, and shaded areas of Taiwan
Other Names
Common Names: Dwarf Umbrella-Tree , Octopus Tree , Parasol Plant , Kleine Strahlenaralie , Cheflera , E Zhang Teng
Scientific Names: Schefflera arboricola , Heptapleurum arboricola , Heptapleurum arboriculum
GBIF Accepted Name: Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr.