Octopus Umbrella shade tree

Plinio Granado

Octopus shade tree

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Plinio Granado

Octopus shade tree

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Plinio Granado

Shade tree

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I live in North Miami Beach Florida I own a condo in a sub division called Eastern Shores it is right off the western side of the Intercostals Waterway. Right out side in front of our balcony is a tree; it is called an Octopus Umbrella shade tree. As you can see by the pictures the reason it is called Octopus is because of the long stemmed type of flowers it produces. Common Name is Schefflera, species: Actinophylla family: Araliaceae. This tree is a joy to look at, not only because of the scenery and the shade it provides, but also for its contribution to the eco system. The birds come to eat the seeds, the bees and the ants come for the nectar. Native to Australia, New Guinea and Java the Umbrella tree is very common in south Florida and the warmer parts of central Florida.

Plinio Granado

Octopus umbrella tree

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