Heptapleurum arboricola 'Trinette'

The wild range behind cultivated ‘Trinette’

‘Trinette’ is a horticultural selection of Heptapleurum arboricola.

Wild plants from Hainan and Taiwan may form shrubs or small trees or scramble through wet tropical vegetation. Schefflera arboricola is the species’ familiar older name.

Stable variegated growth for ‘Trinette’

Set Heptapleurum arboricola ‘Trinette’ in bright filtered light and acclimatise the patterned leaves before gentle direct sun. Pale tissue scorches readily, while insufficient light produces looser growth.

Water when the top layer is dry and the pot has begun to feel lighter, then drain thoroughly. Use an aerated substrate and increase pot size gradually as roots fill the container.

Keep the plant warm and stable, with average household humidity and moderate feeding during active growth. Prune above patterned nodes, remove a persistent all-green shoot at its origin and propagate from variegated stem sections or air layers.

Normal variegation and new damage in ‘Trinette’

Irregular green, yellow and cream areas are normal while the tissue remains firm. Dry brown patches on pale light-facing areas indicate scorch; broader browning can follow drought, mineral buildup or root injury.

Silvery scars with black specks indicate thrips. A vigorous stem producing only green leaves can be cut back to the last patterned node.

Soft yellow leaves above persistently wet substrate point to cold roots or roots lacking air. Improve drainage, remove failed roots and maintain stable warmth.

Fine stippling suggests mites. Raised bumps or cottony deposits indicate scale or mealybugs. Move the plant away from others and treat the pest found.

Heptapleurum arboricola ‘Trinette’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Schefflera arboricola and Heptapleurum arboricola: why did the name change?

Heptapleurum combines Greek hepta, meaning seven, with pleuron, meaning rib or side. The epithet arboricola means tree-dweller.

Joseph Gaertner established the genus Heptapleurum in 1791 in De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum, volume 2, page 472.

Bunzō Hayata first described Heptapleurum arboricola in 1916 in Icones Plantarum Formosanarum, volume 6, page 23.

Schefflera arboricola is the familiar former name. Porter P. Lowry II and Gregory M. Plunkett reinstated Heptapleurum for the Asian group formerly included in Schefflera in 2020 in Novon, volume 28. Kew’s World Checklist accepts Heptapleurum arboricola.