Heptapleurum ellipticum (Blume) Seem.

Growth Form

Heptapleurum ellipticum, commonly called the climbing umbrella tree, is a vine or scandent shrub that reaches up to 10 m (33 ft) in height, with a stem diameter of up to 9 cm (3.5 in).

Leaf Arrangement

Its leaves are alternately arranged, with a petiole 4 to 14 cm (1.6 to 5.5 in) long.

Leaf Structure

The leaves are palmately compound, bearing 4 to 7 leaflets. Each individual leaflet is around 6 to 18 cm (2.4 to 7.1 in) long and 2.5 to 10 cm (0.98 to 3.94 in) wide.

Leaflet Characteristics

Leaflets are leathery, glabrous, and typically have 5 to 6 pairs of secondary veins.

Inflorescence

The plant’s inflorescence grows to about 24 cm (9.4 in) long, with flowers arranged in umbels.

Fruit

Its fruit is globose and very small, measuring about 4–6 mm (0.16–0.24 in) in diameter.

Global Distribution

The natural range of the climbing umbrella tree extends from India through Southeast Asia and Southern China, to Melanesia, Papuasia, Christmas Island, and northern Australia.

Australian Distribution

In Australia, the species is only found in the northeastern regions of Queensland.

Habitat

It grows mainly in rainforest and gallery forest, at elevations from near sea level up to 2,500 m (8,200 ft).

Traditional Uses

This plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat multiple ailments, including coughs, edema, toothache, and wounds.