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Plants\Trees
Umbrella Tree
Photo: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey
BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
Umbrella Tree: Schefflera actinophylla
This is a member of the family
Araliaceae, which are widely cultivated in
tropical and sub-tropical gardens.
It has bright red flowers, borne on groups of long spikes that radiate out from the end of each branch and provide a rich nectar source for
honeyeaters and lorikeets, such as the Rainbow Lorikeet.
Umbrella Trees sometimes grow as epiphytes high up in the canopy.
Additional Information:
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The 'Umbrella
tree' or 'Octopus Plant' usually grows as a
climber on other trees in the rainforest, monsoon forest and sometimes woodlands
of tropical Australia and New Guinea, it's roots resembling a strangler fig.
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Once established it may grow as a large tree in it's own right.
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It is called the
'umbrella' tree due to the circular arrangement of it's leaflets. The flowers
are held in umbels along the long 'octopus' arms that are held at the end of the
main stalk, high above the other branches and leaves. Later, small umbels of
hard red fruits develop along the same arms.
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Specimens can easily be seen along
the Cape Tribulation road.
Script: Courtesy of Damon Ramsey BSc.(Zool) Biologist Guide
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