Polyscias scutellaria (Milkwort)

Botanical name

Polyscias scutellaria

Other names

Milkwort, Shield aralia, Plum aralia, Balfour aralia, Dinner plate aralia

Genus

Polyscias Polyscias

Species

P. scutellaria - P. scutellaria is a tender, upright, evergreen shrub or small tree with aromatic, glossy, leathery, rounded to oval, dark green leaves. Erect panicles composed of umbels of greenish-white flowers in summer are followed by purple-black fruit.

Native to

Pacific Islands

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Erect

Toxicity

All parts are poisonous to domestic pets.

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Colour

Flower

Greenish-white, Insignificant or absent in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Glasshouse red spider mite , Glasshouse whitefly , Mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring at 19-24C.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Polyscias scutellaria (Milkwort) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Architectural, Beds and borders, City, Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Sub-Tropical, Wallside and trellises

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in full or bright filtered light. In growth, water freely & feed monthly. May need restrictive pruning under glass. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Soil type

Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

East, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Polyscias scutellaria (Milkwort)

Common pest name

Leaf spot: ginseng; Leaf spot: ornamentals

Scientific pest name

Alternaria panax

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

A leaf spot disease; some commonly grown pot plants are hosts but main damage is to ginseng.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Polyscias scutellaria (Milkwort)

Common pest name

; mango aphid

Scientific pest name

Aphis odinae

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Aphid pest unlikely to survive in the UK and considered to be little or no pytosanitary risk.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/