Scientific Name: Fatsia japonica
Common Names: Eight Hands, Hand Tree
Family: Araliaceae (not Acacia octagonal gold plate – this appears to be a translation error)
Fatsia japonica is native to Taiwan Province in China and Japan. It thrives in warm and humid climates but is also relatively hardy, making it suitable for cultivation in southern China, including the Yangtze River region, where it can survive winter outdoors. This plant prefers fertile, well-drained soil and is tolerant of shade, making it ideal for under forest conditions or indoor spaces with indirect light. However, it should be protected from drought, extreme heat, and direct sunlight.
It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that typically grows between 3 to 5 meters tall, with upright branches. The leaves are leathery, glossy, and suborbicular in shape, featuring 5 to 9 deep palmate lobes with serrated edges. A yellowish short hair covers the underside of the leaves. The plant produces large, umbrella-like clusters of white flowers at the terminal ends, usually blooming from November to December.
Fatsia japonica can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, or division. Seeds germinate best at temperatures between 10 to 13°C. Cuttings taken in April or May generally root within 20 to 40 days. Division in spring is also a viable propagation method.
In regions north of the Yangtze River, it is often grown in pots and overwintered indoors when temperatures drop below 5°C. As a striking foliage plant, it is well-suited for low-light indoor environments. It is widely used in hotel lobbies, restaurants, meeting rooms, and home decor to enhance aesthetics. In areas south of the Yangtze River, it can be planted in courtyards, near gates, along fences, under water features, by bridges, or on the shady sides of buildings. It also works well as a ground cover in shaded areas or under forests.
An interesting related species is Fatsia polycarpa, also known as Multi-chamber Octopus, which shares similar characteristics but may differ in leaf structure and growth habit.
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