Schefflera elliptica (Blume) Harms

Harms, H.A.T. (1894) Engl. & Prantl, Naturl. Pflanzenfam. 8: 39.

Galamai-Amo; Climbing Umbrella Plant; Climbing Umbrella Tree

Vine stem diameters to 9 cm recorded. Blaze odour conspicuous, rather spicy.

Stipules produced between the base of the petiole and the stem. Leaflet blades about 9-15 x 6.5-7.5 cm, leaflet stalks about 4-6 cm long.

Inflorescence up to 24 cm long. Calyx cupular, lobes very small and inconspicuous. Petals about 2 mm long. Anthers about 1 mm long, filaments about 2.5 mm long. Stigmas appear to be no more than dots on the surface of the ovary.

Fruits globose, about 6 mm diam., apex flattened, sometimes spotted. Seeds usually five or six per fruit, sometimes only two or three. Seeds flattened, ellipsoidal, about 3-4 x 2-2.5 mm. Testa surface tuberculate. Embryo small, about 1 mm long, cotyledons shorter than the radicle.

Cotyledons about 14-17 x 10-12 mm. First and second leaves simple, margins toothed. Subsequent leaves compound, the third leaf with two leaflets and the fourth leaf with three to five leaflets. Petioles clasping the stem. At the tenth leaf stage: leaves digitate with six unequal sized stalked leaflets. Compound leaf petiole bases clasping the stem. Seedling parts produce a clear exudate when cut or broken and the exudate emits an odour like that of celery (Apium graveolens) Crushed roots also emit an odour like that of celery. Seed germination time 17 days.

Occurs in CYP and NEQ. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 750 m. Grows in well developed lowland and upland rain forest and gallery forest. Also found in New Guinea and other parts of Malesia.

This plant has medicinal uses in the Andaman Islands in the treatment of toothache.