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Polyscias pinnata

J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.

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Wikimedia Commons - Mokkie

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Wikimedia Commons - Mokkie

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Description

A shrub. It grows 2-3 m tall and spreads up to 1 m wide. The leaves are alternate and they have 3 leaflets. There are teeth along the edge. The leaf blade is 10-20 cm long. The flowers are white.

Edible Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The young leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It can tolerate salt spray. It is best in a moist well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Chuuk, Dominican Republic, FSM, Guam, Haiti, India, Indonesia, North America, Pacific*, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, USA, Vanuatu, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seed, cuttings or air-layering. It can be planted as a hedge.

Other Information

It is a cultivated plant.

Notes

There are about 100 Polyscias species.

Synonyms

Aralia polyscias Spreng. ex Seem.Panax forsteri Decne. & Planch.Panax manguette Vieill.Panax pinnatus (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) Baill. [Illegitimate]Polyscias umbellata Spreng.

References (9)

  • Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 482
  • Andarwulan, N., et al, 2010, Flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of vegetables from Indonesia. Food Chemistry 121: 1231-1235
  • Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 43, 105 (As Nothopanax pinnatum)
  • Barrau, J., 1976, Subsistence Agriculture in Melanesia. Bernice P. Bishop Museu, Bulletin 219 Honolulu Hawaii. Kraus reprint. p 58
  • Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 177
Show all 9 references
  • Massal, E. and Barrau, J., 1973, Food Plants of the South Sea Islands. SPC Technical Paper No 94. Noumea, New Caledonia. p 35
  • Plants of Haiti Smithsonian Institute http://botany.si.edu
  • Stone, B.,
  • Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 63

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