Plerandra elegantissima
Plerandra elegantissima (formerly called Schefflera elegantissima and Dizygotheca elegantissima) also known as false aralia is a species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae, native to New Caledonia.[2]
Plerandra elegantissima | |
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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[1] | |
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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).[3] 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.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Plerandra elegantissima. |
- Lowry, P.P., II; 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. S2CID 23956490.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- "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.
- RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
- http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=4119
- "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 95. Retrieved 5 November 2018.