Polyscias filicifolia

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aralia filicifolia
• Aralia spectabilis
• Panax ornatus
• Nothopanax ornatus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized under the order Apiales and the family Araliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identification is placed within the genus Polyscias.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the diverse landscapes of Papuasia, specifically within New Guinea. Its presence extends significantly into the Southwestern Pacific region, where it can be found in Fiji. Additionally, this medicinal species inhabits the Gilbert Islands located in the same oceanic area. The geographical range further encompasses the islands of New Caledonia. Finally, the distribution of this plant includes the Wallis-Futuna Islands within the Southwestern Pacific.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Polycias filiciifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its continued existence across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit, it is classified as a phanerophyte, maintaining its visible photosynthetic organs above the ground, while also exhibiting traits consistent with a nanophanerophyte due to its specific stature and growth patterns. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen status, retaining its foliage year-round rather than undergoing seasonal shedding.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Polyscias filiciifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically presenting as a shrub. The plant typically reaches a mean height of approximately 4 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting climber, maintaining its stature without the need for external support. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite, and its ecological positioning is terrestrial, establishing itself directly in the soil rather than as an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

4 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Polyscias filiciifolia is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes adapted to tropical and subtropical environments, focusing primarily on efficient photosynthetic pathways and nutrient acquisition. As a member of the Araliaceae family, the plant exhibits robust vegetative growth driven by a complex system of carbon assimilation and water regulation within its pinnate foliage. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or Frankia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms. Consequently, its physiological reliance on nitrogen is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil substrate through its root system. This nutritional dependency dictates its growth patterns, as the plant must optimize root exudates and mycorrhizal associations to enhance the bioavailability of soil nitrogen to support its structural development and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Polyscias filicifolia has 2 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, root.

Leaf

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Root

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Polyscias filicifolia has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, OLEANOLIC ACID, Hederagenin, Methyl jasmonate, OA.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Cells
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. International journal of molecular sciences
2. Cells

Hederagenin

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Methyl jasmonate

1. Cells

OA

1. Cells

Phenolic acid

1. Cells

SAPONIN

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Ursolic acid

1. International journal of molecular sciences

caffeic acid

1. Cells

salicylic acid

1. Cells

Activities

Polyscias filicifolia has 5 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Adaptogenic, Antigenotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Adaptogenic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Antigenotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Medicinal Uses

Polyscias filicifolia has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include anoxia, endocrine system.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations