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Plant Profile

Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella-Tree, Octopus tree)

Octopus or umbrella tree is a large shrub or a small tree. This tender plant used many times as an interior or house plants. It is growing a multi trunks with  grouped leaves end of each trunk. The leaves are compound, large and shiny. Many red flowers are produced in late summer always above the canopy. Later on purple drupe fruit appear. It has to be grown in a frost free zones, prefers full sun or partial shade. it can tolerate drought and poor soil condition. It takes container condition very well. Can be considered as invasive in hot areas.

  • Landscape Information
  • Botanical Description
  • Horticulture Management
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada (Schefflera actinophylla, the Octopus Tree) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • French Name: Arbre ombrelle

    Arabic Name: شفلرا آکتینوفیلا

    Pronunciation: shef-LEER-uh ack-tin-oh-FILL-uh

  • Plant type: Tree

  • Origin: Melanesia, Australia

  • Heat Zones: 9 to 15

    Hardiness Zones: 10 to 13

  • Uses: Screen, Specimen, Container, Shade

  • Size/Shape

    Growth Rate: Fast

    Tree Shape: Vase

    Canopy Symmetry: Irregular

    Canopy Density: Medium

    Canopy Texture: Coarse

    Height at Maturity: 8 to 15 m

    Spread at Maturity: 5 to 8 meters

  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada (Schefflera actinophylla, the Octopus Tree) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Foliage

    Leaf Arrangement : Alternate

    Leaf Venation: Pinnate

    Leaf Persistance: Evergreen

    Leaf Type: Palmately Compound

    Leaf Blade: 20 - 30

    Leaf Shape: Oblong

    Leaf Margins: Entire

    Leaf Texture: Glossy, Coarse

    Leaf Scent: No Fragance

    Color(growing season): Green

    Color(changing season): Green

  • Flower

    Flower Showiness: Yes

    Flower Size Range: Over 20

    Flower Type: Panicle

    Flower Sexuality: Monoecious (Bisexual)

    Flower Scent: No Fragance

    Flower Color: Red

    Seasons: Summer, Fall

  • Trunk

    Trunk Susceptibility to Breakage: Suspected to breakage

    Number of Trunks: Multi-Trunked

    Trunk esthetic Values: Not Showy

  • Fruit

    Fruit Type: Drupe

    Fruit Showiness: Yes

    Fruit Size Range: 1.5 - 3

    Fruit Color: Red, Purple

    Seasons: Summer, Fall

  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • By Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada (Schefflera actinophylla, the Octopus Tree) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Forest & Kim Starr [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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  • Tolerance

    Frost Tolerant: No

    Heat Tolerance: Yes

    Drought Tolerance: Yes

    Salt Tolerance: Moderate

  • Requirements

    Soil Requirements: Loam, Sand

    Soil Ph Requirements: Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

    Water Requirements: Moderate, Low

    Light Requirements: Full, Part

  • Management

    Invasive Potential: Yes

    Susceptibility to Pests and Diseases: No

    Pruning Requirements: Needed, to develop a strong structure

    Fruit/ Leaves/ Flowers litter: No

    Surface Rooting: Yes

    Life Span: 25-50 years

    Edible Parts: None

    Pests: Mites, Scales

    Plant Propagation: Seed, Cutting, Layering

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