Polyscias macgillivrayi

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub. It grows 4-7 m high and spreads 2-4 m wide. Young growth is smooth. There is usually a single trunk. The bark is grey. There are only a few branches and they are spreading. The leaves are divided along the stalk. The leaves are 1 m long. The leaflets are 20-25 cm long by 8-10 cm wide. They are oblong and often broadest near the base. They are green and often rolled downwards. The flowers are 0.5 cm across. They form loose open groups. The fruit is about 0.8 cm across and flattened.

There are about 100 Polyscias species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest. It needs well drained soil. It often grows just behind the mangrove along the coast. It grows from sea level to 200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Mariana Islands, Micronesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Nothopanax macgillivrayi Seem.; Panax macgillivrayi (Seem.) Benth.; Polyscias grandifolia Volkens; Tieghemopanax macgillivrayi (Seem.)R.Vig.;