Parsley panax
Polyscias fruticosa

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub. It grows 3-5 m high and spreads 2-3 m wide. The branches are spreading. The leaves are clustered near the tips. The leaves are divided 3 times. They are 75 cm long. They sheath the stem at the base. The leaflet stalks are 25 cm long and the leaflets are 1-12 cm long by 0.5-4 cm wide. They vary in shape. They can be lobed or have teeth. The flowers are 0.5 cm across and in a spreading group 60 cm long. The fruit are 0.5 cm across. They are fleshy. The plant varies a lot and it can be like Polyscias cumingiana.

There are about 100 Polyscias species. It stimulates milk production by women.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits tropical and subtropical regions. They need well drained acid soils. It is grown at low altitudes and up to about 1000 m. It is often grown as a hedge. In XTBG Yunnan. It grows on atolls.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, FSM, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Pacific (country/location of origin), Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Thailand, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten as a flavouring. They are also boiled and eaten.

It is cultivated as a food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Bebenu, Bebero, Bei, Bei ghailoro, Berobero, Danidani, Denngi, Dinh lang, Geke, Goi ca, Kadongdong laut, Kalon-letthe, Kobikobi, Kudu gerda, Kuku gerda, La nho, Lautagitagi, Lebkrud, Lep krut, Ming aralia, Momotu, Nyia kalo, Paa, Panax, Pokok teh, Siku keluang, Tagitagi, Taqala, Tataqala, Te kaimamara

Synonyms

Aralia deleauana L. Linden; Aralia fruticosa (L.) L. H. Bailey [Invalid]; Aralia tripinnata Blanco; Nothopanax fruticosus (L.) Miq.; Panax aureus Sander; Panax diffusus W. Bull.; Panax dumosus W. Bull.; Panax fissus W. Bull.; Panax fruticosus Linn.; Panax plumatum W. Bull ex hort; Panax plumatus W. Bull ex W. Richards; Tieghemopanax fruticosus (L.) Viguier;