Can you eat Polyscias?
All parts of these plant are poisonous to humans and pets, if ingested. Skin irritation can also occur. Mildly toxic to pets if ingested. It can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting and drooling in cats and dogs.
Where is Polyscias from?
Polyscias fruticosa, commonly called Ming aralia, is an evergreen shrub that is native to tropical areas from India to Polynesia, but has been introduced into a large number of tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Polyscias fruticosa, or Ming aralia, is a perennial dicot evergreen shrub or dwarf tree in the ivy family Araliaceae, found in tropical and subtropical regions. The plant grows fairly slowly, up to 3–5 metres (9.Polyscias is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araliaceae with a natural distribution from tropical Africa through Southeast Asia and Australia to islands of the Pacific. As of February 2026, Plants of the World Online recognises 28 synonyms and about 180 species for the genus.
What are Polyscias used for?
In parts of Asia, polyscias leaves were traditionally used as a tonic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and for digestion problems while the roots were used as a febrifuge, anti-dysentery, diuretic and for neuralgia and rheumatic pains (Huan et al. Here they are valued for their medicinal properties. Leaves are used in anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial preparations. This plant is also used as a diuretic and to treat rheumatic pains. Aside from its medicinal properties it is widely grown around the world as an ornamental for its lush, evergreen foliage.