Schefflera actinophylla flowering. As a house plant of the Araliaceae family, also known as Umbrella Tree, Octopus Tree, or Brassaia actinophylla, it is cultivated for its decorative foliage. Leathery leaflets (up to 30 cm long) radiate from a central point. In free nature it may reach a height of of to 30 m. It is easy to grow indoors where it does not require direct sun. Flowers may appear very rarely after many years, but then they are very plentiful. The buds and the anthers are most prominent. The plant does not tolerate draft, is susceptible to aphids and its leaves are poisonous to people and animals if ingested. Similar is Schefflera arboricola (Heptapleurum arboricolum).