umbrella tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Australian cabbagetree
• Australian umbrella-tree
• Queensland umbrella-tree
• octopus-tree
• umbrella-tree
• Australian Umbrella Tree
• umbrella tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Schefflera actinophylla
• Brassaia actinophylla
• Brassaia singaporensis
• Aralia longipes

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Heptapleurum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct oceanic and continental regions. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be found growing in both the Canary Islands and Madeira. Its presence extends into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically inhabiting the Comoros. Furthermore, the species is recorded in the Indian Subcontinent, with documented sightings in Bangladesh. Finally, its range reaches into Indo-China, where it is located on the Nicobar Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Heptapleurum actinophyllum is characterized by its presence in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), where it adapts to environments modified by human activity. This species demonstrates a specific vertical distribution within its landscape, maintaining a mean elevation of 1000 m AMSL (meters above sea level).

Elevational range mean:

1000 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Heptapleurum actinophyllum are characterized by a notable degree of polyploidy, which plays a significant role in its biological complexity and evolutionary adaptability. Cytogenetic analyses of the species reveal a variable chromosome number, specifically documented at 2n = 24 and 2n = 48. This variation indicates the presence of both diploid and tetraploid lineages within the species, a genomic structure that often contributes to increased vigor, broader environmental tolerance, and enhanced secondary metabolite production. The existence of these different ploidy levels suggests a dynamic genome capable of undergoing duplication events, which can drive speciation and provide the genetic plasticity necessary for the plant to thrive in diverse ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

24, 48

Life history

The life history of Heptapleurum actinophyllum is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a growth form that supports its structural presence in its natural habitat. Furthermore, the species exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, maintaining its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Heptapleurum actinophyllum is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, functioning as a substantial tree that reaches significant dimensions. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a height ranging from a minimum of 5 meters to a maximum of 15 meters. Although it displays certain characteristics of a self-supporting climber or liana, it primarily maintains a self-supporting structural habit. The plant is classified as terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than being aquatic or an epiphyte, and it grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, allowing it to achieve its large-scale tree form in its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Heptapleurum actinophyllum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. Its vegetative development is marked by distinct leaf morphology, featuring a digitately arranged leaf form where multiple lobes radiate from a common point. The leaves exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 8 cm to a maximum of 40 cm, reflecting the plant's capacity for expansive canopy development and light interception.

Leaf form :

digitate

Leaf length max:

40 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Heptapleurum actinophyllum is characterized by a prolonged flowering period that begins in June and extends through December. The plant produces red flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence, which can reach a maximum length of 1 meter. Following pollination, the plant develops red, drupe-type fruits that are indehiscent in nature, reaching a maximum width of 0.7 cm. The seeds produced within these fruits are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00741 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0027 g to a maximum of 0.010811 g. The dispersal of the species follows a zoochorous syndrome, relying on animals to aid in the spread of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flower colour :

red

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

0.7 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Inflorescence length max:

1 m

Seed mass max:

0.010811 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00741 g

Seed mass min:

0.0027 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Heptapleurum actinophyllum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. Journal of separation science

Activities

Heptapleurum actinophyllum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Preparations

Heptapleurum actinophyllum has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extract.

Crude extract

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS