We have followed the treatment in 'World Checklist of Selected Plants' for this species. However, in various other works it is often treated as Didymopanax morototoni (Aubl.) Decne. & Planch.[].
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: Mountain Trumpet

General Information

Mountain trumpet is a medium-sized, evergreen tree with a small, shallow crown comprised of a few stout branches; it can grow from 8 - 30 metres tall[]. The straight, cylindrical bole is unbranched for most of its height; it can be 80cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber and medicinal uses. It is often grown as an ornamental, valued particularly for its distinctive umbrella shape and its large leaves[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Widespread in the wet forests of tropical America, it is frequently found in upland forests and in old open woodlands[]. In Peru, it is common on the savannah margins[]. It prefers open forests with abundant light[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, often where there is a distinct dry season.
Requires a sunny position[]. Also succeeds in dappled shade[]. Succeeds in a range of soils, but most frequently found in the wild in clayey, acid soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[].
A fast growing tree, easily reaching a height of 3 - 4 metres within 2 years from seed[].
Plants can flower and fruit virtually throughout the year[].
The seeds can withstand forest fires, sprouting freely shortly afterwards[].
Trees can be coppiced successfully[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves have been known to serve as home remedies[].

A cold water infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of malaria[].
The bark is used to treat scorpion bite, sores, wounds and cuts[]. The boiled bark is used to bring relief to itching skin[].

The inner bark and leaves are prepared in a decoction for the treatment of malaria and other fevers[].

The sap of the inner bark is used for treating abscesses[].

Some French Guianans attribute to the root the same beneficial properties as Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng).
Chemical tests confirm that the root contains the same active saponins as Chinese ginseng[].

The wood-chips are steeped in the oil of Jessenia bataua, then the oil is used to relieve pain in the vertebral column[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree that is a natural pioneer, tolerant of a wide range of habitats, and is a good source of food for the native fauna. It makes an excellent pioneer species for re-establishing woodland[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is coloured light cream with some grey; the very narrow band of sapwood is nearly white. The texture is fine to medium; the grain straight and regular; the surface smooth and shiny. The wood is light in weight; soft; brittle; not durable, being very susceptible to attack by fungi, dry-wood termites and other insects. The rate of air-seasoning is rapid, but the amount of degrade is considerable. It is easily worked with a fine finish; planing, shaping, mortising, and sanding are good; turning is very poor; boring is poor; and resistance to screw splitting is excellent[, , ]. Where the trees are more abundant and larger in size, uses include for general carpentry, interior construction, boxes, matchsticks and matchboxes[, ]. Other possible uses are utility grade plywood, toys, and as a substitute for heavier grades of balsa[]. It is increasingly being used in the pulp and paper industry[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a viability of less than 60 days and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually very low, with the seed sprouting within 60 - 100 days[]. It is possible that scarification of the seeds could improve germination rates and shorten the time taken to germinate[]. The seedlings grow away quickly and are easy to transplant[].
In the wild, the seeds germinate soon after there has been a fire[].
Seed storage behaviour is orthodox; no loss in viability following 11 months of storage at 12°c[].

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