Local names:
English (ivy tree), Lao (Sino-Tibetan) (ko tan), Vietnamese (nam s[aa]m)
Schefflera heptaphylla is a small to medium-sized, semi-deciduous or evergreen tree up to 25 m tall, bole up to 80 cm in diameter. Leaves palmately 6-8(-11)-foliolate, polymorphic, petiole 8-35 cm long, leaflets elliptical to ovate-elliptical, 7-20 cm x 3-6 cm, base attenuate, apex narrowly pointed, margin entire, glabrous, petiolules unequal, 1-5 cm long. Inflorescence a well-developed panicle with hairy branches; flowers in many-flowered umbellules or sometimes solitary at the top of secondary axes; flowers 5-merous, ovary 5-8(-10)-locular. Fruit globular, 3-4 mm in diameter, black. In the light of recent taxonomical insight, the species known almost universally since the 1890s as Schefflera octophylla (Lour.) Harms should be called S. heptaphylla (L.) Frodin. It is a renowned medicinal plant from Indo-China, southern China, Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands.
Ecology
S. heptaphylla is found in relatively open forest and forest edges. In southernmost Japan it occurs near sea-level; in the Ryukyu Islands up to 600 m elevation. Southward in the tropics its maximum altitude rises to 1200(-1400) m, or it even becomes entirely montane. Its distribution corresponds with the 20 deg. C average January isotherm. Exploited from wild sources as well as from cultivation, this species can probably be grown easily at higher elevations in the Malesian region.
Native range
China, India, Malaysia, Taiwan, Province of China
Tree management
S. heptaphylla is found in relatively open forest and forest edges. In southernmost Japan it occurs near sea-level; in the Ryukyu Islands up to 600 m elevation. Southward in the tropics its maximum altitude rises to 1200(-1400) m, or it even becomes entirely montane. Its distribution corresponds with the 20 deg. C average January isotherm. Exploited from wild sources as well as from cultivation, this species can probably be grown easily at higher elevations in the Malesian region.
Timber and Fibre: The wood of S. heptaphylla is soft, light and easy to work, and can be used for paper, musical instruments and matchboxes.
Medicine: The bark is widely used in folk medicine for its diuretic properties and as a tonic. The ashes are sometimes used to treat dropsy. In Hong Kong the fresh branchlets are used as a wash to soothe itching of the skin.
Ornamental: In Vietnam, S. heptaphylla is reported to be cultivated as ornamentals and pot plants.
Soil improver: The leaves and young branches are used as green manure.