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Common Name: Australian ivy-palm
Type: Broadleaf evergreen
Family: Araliaceae
Zone: 10 to 12
Native Range: Australia (northern and northeastern parts), New Guinea (southern and southeaste
Height: 40 to 50 feet
Spread: 15 to 20 feet
Bloom Time: Rarely flowers indoors
Bloom Description: Red
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Evergreen
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Culture
Winter hardy to USDA Zones 10-12. In St. Louis, it is easily grown is a houseplant in warm, humidified areas. Best grown in bright sunny locations with protection from hot afternoon sun. Tolerates some shade. Wide range of cultural tolerances. Prune to control size. Water regularly but moderately during the growing season, with reduced watering from fall to late winter. Plants may be taken to sheltered outdoor locations in summer.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Native to rainforests in Australia and New Guinea where it grows as a tree to 50’ tall. Umbrella tree is widely grown in temperate climates as an ornamental houseplant. Indoors it is usually seen growing in the range of 6-15’ tall. It features palmately compound bright green leaves (7-16 leaflets). On each leaf, the elliptic to ovate leaflets (to 12” long) radiate outward in an umbrella-like fashion, hence the common name. Inflorescence consists of small red flowers in compact umbels that appear on long stalks (to 2’) radiating out like the tentacles of an octopus, hence the additional common name of octopus tree. Flowers may be followed by subglobose small black drupes. Flowers and fruits rarely appear on indoor plants, however. Genus name honors 19th century German botanist, J. C. Scheffler. Synonymous with Brassaia actinophylla.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Soft rot, bacterial leaf spot. Watch for mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, thrips and scale.
Garden Uses
Low-maintenance potted plant.