Schefflera morototoni

Family: Araliaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 25 m tall. The trunk has branches at the top. The trunk is straight and the bark is smooth and has large leaf scars. The leaves are in spirals along the stems. They have 10-12 leaflets and these are 8-45 cm long by 3-21 cm wide. They are usually yellowish underneath. There are 4-7 flowers in a group along much branched flowering stalks. The fruit are dry, flattened and kidney shapes. They are about 1 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Antilles, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guianas, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Caga fetssacho, Fosforo, Gapatewe, Lantidis, Puma maki, Sapallu yura

Synonyms

Didymopanax morototoni Decne & Planch.; Panax morototoni Aubl.; Schefflera morototoni var. sessiliflora (Marchal) Frodin; and several others