[Daisy]

I found this tree in a garden in Irapetra, on the south coast of Crete.
I am absolutely useless at estimating heights, but it reached the second floor of the house behind.
It did not have many flowers, but I managed to photograph the few it had.
Does anyone know this tree?
Daisy

[JTh]

Daisy, I believe it is called Brassaia actinophylla, or Queensland Umbrella tree/Octopus tree. A book I have says it can be up to 13 m in height, needs warmth and plenty of water.

[Alisdair]

Properly called Schefflera actinophylla now, I think. In Europe it's sometimes sold as a foliage houseplant, so perhaps the Irapetra plant started life as a pot plant.

[JTh]

I'm sure you are right, Alisdair, my book says that 'Brassaia is still often listed incorrectly as a Schefflera, which is a related genus', but the book is from 1986, so as usual yesterday's truths are not necessarily corrcet today, specially when talking about plants.

[Alisdair]

Jorun, I'm sure you don't want to delve through the recent taxonomic stuff that has resulted in the Kew/MoBot Plant List using Schefflera instead of Brassaia! But if you or anyone else wants the references, the publications accepting Schefflera can be found here and ones ruling against Brassaia can be found here.

[JTh]

I believe you!

[ezeiza]

A fantastically elegant three for the background of a "tropical look".

[pamela]

It certainly is a Schefflera as I have one which is growing very well.  It likes to be in a shady area best.

[ezeiza]

Pamella, in all I have seen the canopy was in full sun, some 20 m. tall or more. perhaps with time they get accostumed to direct sun.

[MikeHardman]

I know one on the outskirts of Paphos, where it is growing in tight spot in a south-facing pavement, and it seems fine year after year - leaves, flowers, fruit, vigour. I can imagine suggestions of it preferring shade, however, subliminal thoughts of Fatsia probably influencing that.

[pamela]

Maybe I needed to say 'shelter' rather than shade.  Here, it appears to me, they are more stunted and slower growing  if not in a sheltered position....maybe it is the sea wind that is problematical for it. I have a wonderful specimen growing well under a large Pinus halepensis, mostly shaded and definitely sheltered.

[Alisdair]

In the subtropics, where this tree from tropical Queensland is more commonly planted, people advise shelter and semi-shade, as well as the moisture that Jorun mentions. Most of us aren't so lucky in our conditions as Pamela who can grow it! And it won't take frost.