Geranium-Aralia, Roseleaf Aralia

Polyscias guilfoylei (Bull) L. H. Bailey

paul-ISS-ee-ahs guil-FOY-lee-eye

Araliaceae

Explanation of name: From Greek poly, many, and skias, shade. Specific name presumably for Australian botanist William Guilfoyle (1840-1912)

Taxonomic note:  According to HUX, possibly merely a cultivated form derived from P. cumingiana (C. Presl) Fernandez-Villar.

Natural range: Tropical Asia (may not be a natural species, see above)

Recognition: A highly variable “species” with numerous variegated and variably deformed cultivars.  Distinguished from other local species of Polyscias by having once-pinnate leaves (twice-pinnate in some cultivars) with 5-9 unlobed (or subtly lobed, or diversely lobed or compound in some cultivars) leaflets.  Polyscias filicifolia likewise has once-pinnate leaves but with more numerous (9-17), narrower leaflets strongly tending to be lobed.

            The Black Aralia ‘Blackie’, with crinkled curled leaves, is a cultivar of this species.

Landcape uses: Fast-growing, forgiving foliage plants valued for hedges, clumps, specimens, and containers. Used in interiorscaping. Has escaped cultivation (WU1).