The genus is limited to this one species, which is endemic to Australia.

Umbrella Tree - Schefflera actinophylla - Photo by Bill Hinton

An ornamental tree with large, lustrous leaves forming a spreading canopy it flourishes on steep hillsides, along beaches, rivers and in the rainforests - often as a hemi-epiphyte.

Flowering commences during summer and for months its unusual spreading racemes are a feature of the tropical scene. Each raceme may carry as many as 1,000 tiny dull-red flowers and attain a length of several feet. The flowers produce excessive quantities of nectar.

An adaptable tree, it is popular as an indoor plant as well as a garden specimen and street tree. Ample moisture is its man requirement.

Its aggressive root system makes it unsuitable for planting near concrete slabs or watermains.