Several recent phylogenetic studies have shown that Schefflera is clearly polyphyletic, and that the Asian species belong to a single, well-supported, morphologically coherent clade. The name Schefflera will ultimately have to be restricted to a small group of species from the SW Pacific, while the Asian species will have to be transferred to one or more other genera[].

Common Name:

General Information

Schefflera heptaphylla is a small to medium-sized, semi-deciduous or evergreen tree growing up to 25 metres tall with a bole up to 80 cm in diameter[].
A renowned medicinal plant from Indo-China, southern China, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands, where it is mainly gathered from the wild[]. The plant is also reported to be cultivated as an ornamental and pot plant in SE Asia[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines.

Habitat

Relatively open forest and forest edges[]. Evergreen broad-leaved forests on mountain slopes[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, it is found at elevations below 600 metres in the subtropics, but can occur as high as 1,400 metres in the tropics[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The fresh branchlets are used as a wash to soothe itching of the skin[].

The leaves are diuretic[].

The root-bark and stem-bark are anti-inflammatory, diuretic and tonic. They ae used in the treatment of a range of conditions including rheumatism, lumbago, osteodynia, paresis, amnesia, vulval pruritis, impotence, dyspepsia, infantile rickets, oedema, dysuria and impetigo[, , ].
The ashes are sometimes used to treat dropsy[].

The root-bark and stem-bark contain triterpenoid saponins that yield oleanolic acid on hydrolysis[].

The root-bark and stem-bark are collected in the autumn then wrapped up for 24 - 48 hours in order to develop the aroma and then dried in the shade[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The leaves and young branches are used as green manure[].

Other Uses

The wood is soft, light and easy to work[]. It can be used for making musical instruments and matchboxes, and is also a source of pulp for making paper[].

Propagation

Seed -

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