Schefflera actinophylla
Queensland umbrella tree
Family: Araliaceae
Origin: Australia
![A cluster of leaves at the top of the Queensland umbrella tree.](/media/arumco40/queensland-umbrella-tree-01.jpg?rxy=0.46419950580606462,0.29384742266425584&width=1110&height=625&v=1d7e511cd0ff9e0)
Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) status
- Hauraki Gulf Controlled Area Notice pest
- Whole region — Sustained control
General description
Multi-stemmed tree < 10 m tall, can grow as epiphyte. Leaves are large, glossy and digitately compound, with leaflets < 30 cm. Flowers are red/pink and borne in large branched clusters near the top of the tree. Fruit is round and fleshy.
What you need to know
To help protect our environment, from 1 September 2022, you:
- will not be allowed to breed, distribute, release or sell Queensland umbrella tree within the Auckland region.
- will not be allowed to plant Queensland umbrella tree within the Auckland region, unless you are transferring an existing plant on your land to another location within the boundaries of the same property.
- must destroy any Queensland umbrella tree on land that you occupy if it has been planted in breach of the above rules and you are directed to do so by an authorised person.
Habitats
Forest, swamps, riparian margins, rocky outcrops, coastal areas, urban areas.
Dispersal
Seeds dispersed by birds, possibly by mammals and water. Human-mediated dispersal through deliberate plantings.
Impact on environment
Potential to competitively exclude native vegetation. May compete with the closely related taonga species patete (S. digitata).
Control
Site Management
Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
Recommended approaches
Physical control
Method: Dig out.
Plant parts requiring disposal: Seeds.
Disposal options: Remove to greenwaste or landfill if practical.
Biocontrol
Biocontrol is currently not available for this species.
Community agrichemical control recommendations
No qualifications: Cut stump and paste freshly cut base of stems with metsulfuron gel or ringbark stem and paste with metsulfuron gel.
Basic Growsafe certified: Cut stump and spray freshly cut base with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 1 L of water.
Certified Handler/Experienced agrichemical user: Foliar spray seedlings with 5g metsulfuron-methyl per 10L of water and 20ml penetrant.
Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
![Queensland umbrella tree canopy.](/media/byjn1fb0/queensland-umbrella-tree-02.jpg?width=700&height=390&v=1d7e511cd1725d0;)
![Close up of queensland umbrella tree fruit.](/media/54kkvnmi/queensland-umbrella-tree-03.jpg?rxy=0.41571718913592415,0.33280238848234417&width=700&height=390&v=1d7e511cd1e2ab0;)
![Close up of Queensland umbrella tree fruit.](/media/crnlfzcj/queensland-umbrella-tree-04.jpg?width=700&height=390&v=1d7e511cd22be90;)