Polyscias scutellaria
(Burm. f.) Fosberg
Saucer leaf, Cup leaf papua, Hedge panax
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(c) ndionson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by ndionson
What to Eat
Edible parts: Leaves, Vegetable
Ancient native Indonesians have used shield aralia leaf as a bowl substitute due to its bowl-like shape and tear-resistant properties. In modern Indonesian cuisine shield aralia can be used as fancy food packaging. Shredded shield aralia has aromatic properties that can be mixed with meat or fish to conceal the odor.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It occurs in the lower altitude regions. It needs well drained soils. It often grows at low altitudes and up to 800 m altitude. It is often grown as a hedge. In XTBG Yunnan.
Asia, Australia, China, Chuuk, Cook Islands, Fiji, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marquesas, Nauru, Pacific*, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tokelau, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam,
How to Identify
A shrub which forms many branches from the base. It is 1-6 m high and spreads 1.5-3 m wide. The stems are bronze-green and there are distinct scars where the leaves fall off. The leaves have long leaf stalks and they can be simple or have 1-5 leaflets. The leaves are often cup shaped or saucer shaped. The leaf is elongated along the leaf stalk for about a quarter of its length. The leaves have teethed and are smooth on both sides. They are dark green on top and lighter green beneath. The leaf blade is 8-25 across and almost round or kidney shaped. The leaf stalk is 6-28 cm long. The flowers are 0.5 cm across. They are white or yellow. The fruit is 0.7 cm across and purplish-black. It is round and fleshy.
Nutrition Score: 50/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 82 | 227 | 54 | 3.7 | — | 85 | 4 | — |
How to Grow
The shrub is often planted and pruned to form a hedge. It is grown from cuttings.
Propagation: Seed - Cuttings.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves and the roots, combined with parsley, are used as a diuretic. The juice of the leaves has been used to relieve stomach aches and facilitate childbirth.
Other Uses
The leaves are used as plates. The plant responds well to pruning and can be grown as a hedge.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Polyscias scutellaria, the shield aralia, or plum aralia, is a tropical shrub or small tree reaching 2–6 meters in height. A native of eastern Malesia and southwest Pacific islands, it is commonly grown in gardens. The leaves and root can be used as an antiseptic and deodorant.
Notes
There are about 100 Polyscias species.
Names & Synonyms
Bei, Belahess, Daun belangkas, Daun mangkok, Godong mangkokan, Lala, Mamanukan, Mangkokan, Ndanindani, Platito, Semangkok, Shield aralia, Te toara
References (31)
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