This species is closely related to Polyscias sorongensis Gibbs.

Common Name:

General Information

Polyscias verticillata is a small, glabrous, sparingly branched shrub or tree growing up to 7 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild and occasionally cultivated for its edible leaves, which are used locally. It is often grown as an ornamental and food hedge within its native range[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Pacific - New Guinea, Bismarck and Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Usually found in lowland forests and near beaches, but also at elevations up to 1,200 metres in the rainforests of New Guinea[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 34°c, but can tolerate 14 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun and in light shade[]. Prefers a well-drained, sandy to loamy soil[]. Tolerates moderate levels of salt in the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[]. A nice aroma[]. Boiled and eaten as a green, they are also used as a flavouring in stews[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant responds very well to constant pruning and is often grown as a hedge within its native range[].
Grows well under coconuts[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?