ID this One

[chris.oz]

I caught sight of this indoor plant growinbg in Mexico City.

Its in the Araliaceae,  I think,  but is it one of the billions of Schefflera.

Proably common in the USA,  but I have never seen one before in Oz.

[palmarazzi]

it's hard to see the leaves, it looks like s. arboricola which is the more compact form but as to which one, don't know. can you take another pic of the leaves?

[palmarazzi]

okay i was off on that, just looked at mine and the leaves are totally different.

glad i went and looked, cause i was visited by an unwelcome guest. one that could hide in my vegetation and attack when working in the yard. i drozd (1) him though, so he won't be sneaking up on anyone soon.

** (1) Drozd is a full-auto bb gun that's a load to play with and great for unwelcome guests! i found a video, go HERE and click 'see for yourself'. enjoy

[chris.oz]

Bump

[Roaringwater]

It looks like one of those tropical Polyscias varieties, which come in a bewildering number of leaf shapes and variegations.  There is a very nice hardy Polyscias, with big compound leaves, native to SE Australia.  I once saw one in the old Wimbourne Botanic Garden in Dorset (UK), but have never come across one since.  Is it cultivated in Melbourne I wonder?

[Eric in Orlando]

Looks like Balfour Aralia, Polyscias scutellaria 'Balfourii'.

[Jeff Searle]

(Eric in Orlando @ Jun. 08 2007,08:16)

QUOTE

Looks like Balfour Aralia, Polyscias scutellaria 'Balfourii'.

Eric,

 I would have to agree with you. It's not S. arboricloa.

Jeff

007

[chris.oz]

Thanks Eric and Jeff.

Dont you love the world of plants,  theres always something new to learn.

I have never  seen a Polyscias in Australia.

[Jeff Searle]

(chris.oz @ Jun. 08 2007,08:51)

QUOTE

Thanks Eric and Jeff.

Dont you love the world of plants,  theres always something new to learn.

I have never  seen a Polyscias in Australia.

Chris,

    I'm sure you have several species over there, you might have to start visiting some of the "collectors" that have smaller nurseries and specialize in rare plants. The Aussie's are some of the best growers in the world.

Jeff

007

[chris.oz]

Strangely,  although they grow very well in the coastal frost free areas around our bay  Schefflera is not often grown in gardens,  perhaps  Schefflera arboricola is grown more,  but there are quite a few such as the New Zealand species such as the Pate,  S. digitata,  which grow well in cooler climates.  Of course Aralia japonica grows OK here and is more popular than any of the above Schefflera.   However,  its a scale magnet plant.

[happ]

(palmarazzi @ Jun. 07 2007,00:15)

QUOTE

okay i was off on that, just looked at mine and the leaves are totally different.

glad i went and looked, cause i was visited by an unwelcome guest. one that could hide in my vegetation and attack when working in the yard. i drozd (1) him though, so he won't be sneaking up on anyone soon.

** (1) Drozd is a full-auto bb gun that's a load to play with and great for unwelcome guests! i found a video, go HERE and click 'see for yourself'. enjoy

JR

What kind of snake is it?

[Eric in Orlando]

I bet they are more common further north in the warmer subtropical/tropical regions of Queensland. It is native to Malesia but widely grown in the tropics and as houseplants. In SoFL they (and several other varieties) are very common in landscapes. They have a narrow growth habit and make good screens in tight places. They also are very easy to root, branches stuck in the ground can be started.

[Roaringwater]

The hardy Australian species is Polyscias sambucifolia, or Elderberry Panax.  It is native to southern Vic.  The form I saw in Dorset had large leaflets, but there are also forms with very finely-cut leaves.