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Polyscias cumingiana (C. Presl) Fernandez-Villar
| Family Name: | Araliaceae |
| Synonyms: | Arthrophyllum pinnatum, Polyscias rumphiana, Nothopanax pinnatus, Aralia naumannii, Panax cumingianus, Polyscias crispata, Nothopanax cumingianus, Polyscias cumingii (ortho. variant), Nothopanax crispatus, Panax crispatus, Panax pinnatus |
| Common Name: | Fern-leaf Aralia, False-leaf Aralia, 线叶南洋参 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Tree (Shrubby (1m-5m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Compact |
| Maximum Height | 1.5 m to 4 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Southwest Pacific Islands |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Erect shrub with vertical branches, up to 4 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Alternate, compound, green (sometimes variegated); leaflets 9-15, ovate to elliptic to lanceolate, strongly lobed; petiole clasping at base, papery texture, apex acuminate or acute to obtuse, base obtuse to attenuate, margin entire to crenate. |
| Flowers | Andromonoecious; inflorescence terminal, panicle of umbels. |
| Fruit | Fruits are subglobose to broadly ovoid. |
| Etymology | The genus Polyscias means many-shades, in referring to the foliage. The specific epithet cumingiana is named after Hugh Cuming, a collector in Malaya and Philippines, 1791-1865. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Hedge / Screening |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Even-Pinnate, Bipinnate) |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire, Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate, Obtuse |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse, Attenuate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1058 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2351 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
