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A tree species from Southeast Asia. It is fairly tropical in its distribution but T. palmata grows well in the greenhouse and when I was offered one I thought it was worth a try.
It has grown well in the greenhouse for most of the year but I lost my nerve as the temperature dropped close to zero and it spent the winter in a friends conservatory.
When I have a spare I might try winter in the greenhouse. Grow Tropicals say: "Trevesia burckii, commonly known as Burck's Trevesia or Ghost's Foot, is a fascinating and slow-growing tree native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. This critically endangered species is found in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Singapore. As a member of the Araliaceae family, Trevesia burckii stands out for its distinctive "Snowflake" leaves and unique inflorescences that grow directly from its spiny trunk, making it a remarkable ornamental plant. Maintain a temperature range of 18°C to 26°C for optimal growth. This plant is sensitive to cold and should be kept away from temperatures below 15°C. It thrives in the warm, stable temperatures typical of its native tropical habitat." Gardens by the Bay say: "The ghost’s foot (Trevesia burckii) can be found throughout the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, ranging from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sumatra, Borneo and Singapore, where it is critically endangered in the wild. This slow-growing, understorey tree can grow up to 10m in height and is a member of the Araliaceae family, which includes familiar plants such as the common ivy (Hedera helix), the dwarf umbrella tree (Schefflera arboricola), the Ming aralia (Polyscias fruticosa), and the medicinal ginseng species (Panax spp.). The plant has also been called the ‘snowflake tree’ although this name is more associated with T. palmata, a related species with a more detailed leaf shape and a silvery new growth — new leaves in T. burckii are copper in colour. Not much is known about the pollinators and seed dispersers of this species but the fruits may probably be eaten by small birds or bats. " |
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| 28th September 2023 | ||
