Family: Araliaceae
An ornamental tree that escapes cultivation. Native to Australia and parts of New Guinea, Heptapleurum actinophyllum (syn. Schefflera actinophylla), commonly called octopus tree, grows epiphytically near forested edges in its homeland. It has been present in Hawaii since about 1900, likely introduced for ornamental purposes. The first record of escape was in 1973 when it was recorded as “sparingly naturalized.” Today, the octopus tree has extensively naturalized on all the main Hawaiian Islands. It has been called “without question, one of the worst weeds currently invading the wet forests of the Hawaiian Islands.”
The tree is known to form dense thickets shading out other more desirable species. Birds disperse the fruit, sometimes dropping the seeds in the crotch of a tree where the octopus tree will grow as an epiphyte. The octopus tree is very difficult to control after it has become established in natural and landscaped areas. A 1-inch diameter root has the power to lift a sidewalk or damage a home’s foundation. This tree should not be planted near human-made objects. For these reasons, The Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated this species as one of Hawaiʻi’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants.
Description and Dispersal:
- A tree up to 45 ft tall, branches at the base and sparingly above
- 5-18 leaflets (up to 1 ft long) grow in a circle compound on the tip of a 2 ft long stem
- Palmately compound leaf resembles a hand
- Small red flowers grow closely on floral branches; bright red fruit (1/4 in) grow on a branch giving the appearance of octopus tentacles
