Plerandra elegantissima
| Plerandra elegantissima | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Plerandra |
| Species: | P. elegantissima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Plerandra elegantissima | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Plerandra elegantissima, the false aralia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae.[2][3] It is native to New Caledonia.[4][5]
Description
Growing to 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall by 2 m (7 ft) broad, it is an evergreen shrub or tree. Its leaves are thin, coppery red to dark green with toothed edges and consist of 7-11 leaflets. On adult plants the leaves are much broader. In autumn it bears clusters of pale green flowers followed by black fruit.
Cultivation
With a minimum temperature of 13–15 °C (55–59 °F), in temperate zones it is grown as a houseplant and is much more compact, typically reaching heights of 2–3 m (7–10 ft).[6] In cultivation, it needs a lot of light and humidity. The soil should dry out between watering. This plant has little branching and is sensitive to the appearance of mealybugs.
Under the name Schefflera elegantissima, this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[7][8]
References
- ^ Tanguy, V. (2015). "Plerandra elegantissima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015 e.T68085757A68117853. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T68085757A68117853.en.
- ^ a b "Plerandra elegantissima (H.J.Veitch ex Mast.) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett & Frodin". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Plerandra elegantissima (H.J.Veitch ex Mast.) Lowry, G.M.Plunkett & Frodin". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000: Leiden, the Netherlands. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ "Taxon: Schefflera elegantissima (hort. Veitch ex Mast.) Lowry & Frodin". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Area. Archived from the original on 2009-05-08. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
- ^ Lowry II, P.P.; Plunkett, G.M.; Frodin, D.G. (2013). "Revision of Plerandra (Araliaceae). I. A synopsis of the genus with an expanded circumscription and a new infrageneric classification". Brittonia. 65 (1): 42–61. doi:10.1007/s12228-012-9260-2.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- ^ "Schefflera elegantissima". RHS. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 95. Retrieved 5 November 2018.