This whole sheffelera thing sucks.

[Lyneeso]

So Iv' stumbled across so many "types" of schefflera that I can't even remember all the cute little names. Home depot, lowes, Zamzows, all these stores seem to have two or three different names for them. Ive decided to ONLY use Arboricola. However now I find that there are all sorts of types. (or at least too many names to know the difference.) Unfortunately I already bought about 5 of these plants all simply labeled "Schefflera" Now, im having one HE^% of a time trying to figure out which ones Iv'e got. Can someone PLEASE explain the differences (if any) between the too-toxic ones and the suggestables? I have one bigger one with veregated leaves (green and yellow). If anyone could post some GOOD pictures (close-ups) of foliage and/or explain the observable differences, I and the chams would deeply appreciate it.

I understand that there are pictures on google.

I'm looking for a well-educated persons direct instruction on sorting out the DEADLY from the DELICIOUS. Please post pics! Smaller plants of both the Arboricola and the Actinophylla pictured would most likely be the key to this mystery for me.

When I googled pics of them they all look different/same to me. Any other pointers on ID'ing these would help!!!!

 

[jojackson]

Arboricola is the only known safe one. Actinaphylla is toxic northern form. Young Arboricola does not have varieagated leaves, neither does actinaphylla. No difference in appearance of these two as small potted plants.

Play it safe, Only use the one labelled arboricola.

 

[Gaerei]

I have the arbricola, it'd been yellow and green since I got it. I had a similar problem as you but then realized most places its the same plant but whichever part of the latin name they want to use. For instance, the arbricolla at one place, was the octophylla in one store, and then at the supermarket they just called it schefflera arbor. Good luck, and likeit was stated before just go with the proven method and you can't go wrong.

 

[Eric Adrignola]

Arbicola is much more common, green or varigated - there's tons of different kinds, types or cultivars or breeds or varities or whatever! Different variants that grow with different proportions, all the same species.

I've never seen a different type of actinophylla.

It's best to avoid it, as it is more toxic.

I used it for 5+ years with no problems before I learned it was toxic. Really, plant toxicity is a precaution. They live in toxic plants in the wild, but they have space, and learn what to eat and what not to eat. Not so much choice in captivity.

Actinophylla has very thin, almost papery, translucent, large leaves. Arbicola has thicker, shorter leaves.