tropical looking, palmately compound hexafoliate small tree

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by gfixler, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. gfixler

    gfixler Active Member

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    Someone cut and trashed this pretty young tree in July of last year. I brought it home to take pictures in the hopes of learning more about it. It has a small, distinct, membranous pith (not hollow or chambered). There was a sweet, somewhat minty smell to the cross sections. The leaves are smooth, shiny and grow in rings of 6. The bark is a sandy brown with small warts that gives way in streaks to a smooth, shiny green in the smaller, younger branches.

    Thanks for any help with an ID.
     

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  2. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

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  3. Michael F

    Michael F Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    You could probably grow it on from cuttings, as long as the foliage hasn't wilted too much.
     
  4. gfixler

    gfixler Active Member

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    That makes sense. We have S. actinophylla all over around here as trees up to about 4m in height, and I see them often. They always seem to have 8 leaves ("octopus tree" and all), so I thought that was a set rule, but looking up a few, I see that S. arboricola alone can have between 7 and 9 leaves, and there are quite a number of species in the genus. Looks like it's Schefflera sp. Thanks!
     
  5. gfixler

    gfixler Active Member

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    Unfortunately, everything has long since wilted away, as it's been almost a year since I happened upon the branch. Good to know for the future, though. Thanks.
     

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