Family: Araliaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Heptapleurum taiwanianum, commonly known as the umbrella plant, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree native to the Ali Shan region of Taiwan, where it grows in subtropical forests. It is valued as an ornamental landscape and garden tree due to its attractive tropical appearance, glossy palmate leaves, and clusters of small flowers followed by decorative fruits. The species is adaptable to a range of growing conditions and is commonly cultivated in gardens, parks, and botanical collections in mild climates. Its dense foliage and architectural form make it a popular choice for adding structure and year-round greenery to landscapes.

Risks & Threats:
Although Heptapleurum taiwanianum is not currently known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it possesses several traits that warrant further evaluation. Like other members of the umbrella tree group, it produces fleshy fruits that may be dispersed by birds and other animals, potentially allowing it to spread beyond cultivation. Its adaptability to subtropical environments similar to those found in Hawaiʻi raises concerns about its ability to establish in natural areas if introduced more widely. While there is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether this species poses a significant invasive threat, ongoing evaluation is needed to assess its behavior and potential impacts. Caution is recommended when planting this species to help ensure that it does not negatively affect Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Congeneric weed (H. actinophyllum is invasive)
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Dispersed intentionally by people (ornamental)
  
• Bird-dispersed; seeds survive gut passage
  
• Native to tropical/subtropical climates (Taiwan)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized, or weedy elsewhere
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic
  
• Not a fire hazard
  
• Not a climber, thicket-former, aquatic, grass, N-fixer, or geophyte
  
• No vegetative reproduction
  
• Slow to mature (4–5 years to reproduce)
  
• Not dispersed by wind, water, external animals, or as a contaminant