Oreopanax (Araliaceae) BSWJ10669

floribundus

From the stunning central mountain range of Colombia where we found this rare species growing to 4m tall at on the edge of a dense forest at a high enough altitude to experience regular freezing. Taking a considerable amount of research to identify (many thanks to Julian Shaw) as the only species we were familiar with had compound leaves made up of leaflets in a similar fashion to Schefflera. This species however has distinct deeply lobbed palmate leaves to 1m across, emerging reddish covered in bristly hair thickly so on the contrasting pale undersides. While the individual plants are dioecious (plants either male or female) bearing large terminal paniculate inflorescences. Protect while young. Not tested for hardiness yet, best grown in a well drained compost with moisture retention, in