Toxic Bonsai Part IV
Umbrella tree (Queensland) – Schefflera actinophylla. Family Araliaceae. Is an evergreen tree that grows to 15m (49ft) tall, native to the tropical rain forests of New Guinea, Java and Australia’s eastern Queensland. This decorative tree when mature, produces racemes up to 2m (6.5ft) long with an abundance of small dull red flowers beginning in late spring. Schefflera actinophylla is considered to be an aggressive plant prolific in growth, hence the reason why it is an uncommon specimen in bonsai collections. Schefflera actinophylla does contain toxins, but these are not considered to be dangerous to humans. Ingesting the leaves can cause mouth tingling and numbness, vomiting and abdominal pain and sap when in contact with skin can cause irritation and rash.
Umbrella tree – Schefflera arboricola. (syn. Heptapleurum arboricolum) also a member of the Araliaceae family is native to Taiwan, but can…
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