Dwarf Schefflera

Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr.

chef-LAIR-ah are-bor-ICK-oh-lah

Araliaceae

Explanation of name: The generic name honors J.C. Scheffler, a German botanist. Arboricola means growing in trees.

Synonym: Heptapleurum arboricola Hayata, Ic. Pl. Formos. vi. 23. 1916.

Natural range: Taiwan

Recognition: These are shrubs with alternate palmately compound leaves having sheathing bases. The 6-9 glossy green or variegated leaflets are elliptic (to oblanceolate), and each has a stalk. There are numerous cultivars, with the white-variegated ‘Trinette’ the most abundant, and with the yellow-variegated ‘Gold Capella’ also popular. The fruits are orange drupes.

            The much larger Umbrellatree, Schefflera actinophylla Harms, is an exotic invader listed as Category I by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

Landscape uses: This is one of the most-used landscaping plants in South Florida, easy to propagate, easy to grow, indifferent to many challenging circumstances, and growing happily in light conditions ranging from shade to sun. Dwarf Schefflera is a viable choice for shaded north foundations. There are few landscapes where this species does not appear. It serves as foundation plantings, hedges, clumps, container plants, bonsai, and indoor specimens. Growth is rapid. The plants may rarely approach 20’ tall. They are usually maintained at much smaller dimensions, even as a ground cover. Multiple stems arise from the base, and the plant branches readily post-pruning. This species has escaped cultivation in Southeastern Florida.