Scientific Name : Heteropanax fragrans (Roxb.) Seem.
Common Name : Fragrant Aralia
Chinese Name : 幌傘楓, 火通木
Family : ARALIACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species
| Origins | From India to Southeast China, also Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. |
|---|---|
| Vitality | The wild Fragrant Aralia is always distributed in valleys, hillsides, sparse forests and the environments that can support it with enough water and sunlight. Scarce sunlight can restrict the expansion of the width of the tree and compel it to grow into a lanky stem to compete for more sunlight. This tree form is extremely risky during typhoons and should be noticed before planting. |
| Application | The tree is always planted as an ornamental and street tree in respect of its handsome tree form with prominently straight trunk and dense foliage. In addition, its root bark can be used to treat burns, boils and snakebites. Its wood can be also used for making furniture. |
| Meanings of name | The specific epithet “fragrans” describes its aromatic flowers when blooming. |
| Fragrant Aralia and Radermachera sinica (Asia Bell Tree) | Asia Bell Tree belongs to Bignoniaceae which is genetically distant from Araliaceae, which Fragrant Aralia belongs to. However, two trees are morphologically imperceptible when there is absence of flowers. Leaf arrangement is a diagnostic trait to distinguish two trees. While Asia Bell Tree’s compound leaves are arranged oppositely, those of Fragrant Aralia are alternately arranged and the petioles are elongated to clasp the branchlets. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen tree. |
|---|---|
| Height | To 10 m. |
| Stem | Bark slightly rough, yellowish brown to greyish brown. Branchlets stout, with many observable leaf scars, apex pubescent. |
| Leaves | 3-5 pinnately compound, crowded at the apex of branchlets, leaflets opposite. Blade glabrous, chartaceous, elliptic to elliptic-ovate, base cuneate, apex acute to acuminate, entire, lateral veins distinct on both sides. Petiole stout, swollen at the base, sheathing the stem. |
| Flowers | Hermaphroditic. Panicles terminal, covered with densely rusty stellate tomentose. Flowers pale yellowish white, fragrant. |
| Fruits | Drupes ovoid-globose, grooved, glabrous, styles persistent, black at maturity. |
| Flowering period | unknown |
| Fruiting period | unknown |
Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website :
https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=4469
Scientific names from other databases :
― Flora of China : Heteropanax fragrans (Roxburgh ex Candolle) Seemann.
― Plant of the World Online : Heteropanax fragrans (Roxb.) Seem.