Schefflera Actinophylla

Schefflera actinophylla is a dramatic evergreen tree, immediately recognisable by its large, glossy leaves arranged in broad, radiating whorls. Plants develop a strong central stem, carrying increasingly bold foliage that gives the species its distinctive architectural presence. In its native tropical forests of northern Australia and the western Pacific, this species grows as a canopy tree, eventually producing long, upright spikes of deep red flowers on mature specimens. In cultivation, flowering is uncommon, with the plant valued primarily for its foliage, which becomes progressively larger and more deeply divided as the plant matures. Growth is upright and steady, with leaves held well clear of the stem, creating an open, sculptural form. The foliage remains evergreen, maintaining structure year-round, while natural variation in vigour and leaf size is typical of seed-raised plants.