Schefflera pueckleri (K. Koch) Frodin

This species is used medicinally and as an ornamental.

Tupidanthus calyptratus has been included in Schefflera (where the combination S. pueckleri must be used) by some authors (e.g., Frodin and Govaerts, World Checklist Bibliogr. Araliaceae. 2004 ["2003"]; Lowry, Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 11: 117-155. 1989).

Trees, small, at first erect, later becoming lofty climbers, to 30 m tall, glabrous. Stem to ca. 15 cm in diam. at base. Leaves 7-10-foliolate; petiole 15-35(-60) cm; petiolules 3-5 cm; leaflets elliptic to obovate or oblong-lanceolate, 12-23 × 4-8.5 cm, lateral veins 20-30 pairs, base acute to attenuate, margin entire, apex shortly acuminate. Inflorescence pseudo-lateral, a compound umbel or panicle of umbels; secondary axes 3-5, each 4-8 cm, very stout, with large ovate sheathing leathery bracts at base; umbels 3-7 flowered; pedicels 1.5-2 cm, stout. Flowers 1.5-3 cm in diam. Calyx tube leathery, smooth. Stamens 30-70, densely packed. Fruit depressed-globose, 2-3.5 cm in diam., stigmatic crest usually forming an irregular "Y" or "H"; exocarp fleshy.

Xizang, S Yunnan [Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam].

Climbing on forest trees; 900-1700 m.

Schefflera pueckleri (K. Koch) Frodin ; Tupidanthus pueckleri K. Koch.