Polyscias nodosa Seem.

Tree to 25 m, unbranched or with few thick branches, bearing tufts of long leaves at their ends, young parts scurfy-tomentose. Leaves imparipin-nate, multijugate, becoming glabrous or minutely villose on the nerves beneath, up to 2 m (or even 3 m); petiole c. 30 cm, to 2 cm ø, with a short sheathing base; leaflets sessile, ovate-oblong commonly 15 by 4 cm, or larger, chartaceous, margin slightly crenate, apex ± apiculate, base truncate. Inflorescence a large panicle (sometimes with additional flowering branches in the axils of the upper leaves), tomentum ± persistent; primary axis stout, c. 1.5 m, bearing secondary axes along its length, bracts triangular, c. 5 mm long; secondary axes c. 20-40 cm; capitula borne racemosely along the secondary branches on peduncles c. 6-15 mm long. Flowers c. 8-12 in a capitulum. Calyx a minute rim. Petals 5, triangular, 2 mm long. Stamens 5, anthers broadly ovate on short filaments. Ovary turbinate, c. 2.5 mm high, 5-celled; disk flat, rising to the 5 central erect styles. Fruit subglobose (5-ribbed when dry), styles spreading and reflexed.

Open thickets and rain-forest, mostly at low altitudes and on small islands, but recorded to 1000 m.

Uses. Used medicinally against purpuric fever and to delay pregnancy (Mindanao). The leaves are used to stupify fish and the wood makes durable fence posts and handles for rice-knives.