Description
multi stemmed erect plant with large leaves
interior plant
S. actinophylla – Brassaia actinophylla – Australian Ivy Palm – Octopus Tree – Queensland Umbrella Tree – This multi-stemmed erect, large shrub or small tree from the rainforest of Australia, and South and Southeast New Guinea grows 30-50′ feet tall and 20′ feet wide. From stiff, thick, sparsely branched stems, it carries large leaves, up to 15″ long, divide into 7-16 ovate-oblong, leathery, glossy, light to mid green leaflets, to 15″ long, are borne in terminal rosettes on branches. Leaves of juvenile plants have fewer, smaller leaflets than those of adult plants. In summer, upright terminal, compound panicles, of up to 1,000, to 32″ long, are made up of tiny, red flowers with contrasting cream stamens. Flowers are followed by spherical black fruit. Often grown as juvenile plants.
Indoors, grow in soil based potting mix in bright filtered or indirect light. During the growing season, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, keep just moist in winter.
Zones 14-15
