AusTraits

Polyscias elegans

Explore the data for this taxon in the portal

Family Araliaceae

Taxonomy: Polyscias elegans (C.Moore & F.Muell.) Harms

Synonyms: 6 (APC 2026-07-30)
  • Aralia elegans A.Cunn. ex W.Hill (taxonomic synonym)
  • Gelibia elegans (C.Moore & F.Muell.) Hutch. (nomenclatural synonym)
  • Nothopanax elegans (C.Moore & F.Muell.) Seem. (nomenclatural synonym)
  • Panax elegans C.Moore & F.Muell. (nomenclatural synonym)
  • Panax polybotryus F.Muell. (taxonomic synonym)
  • Tieghemopanax elegans (C.Moore & F.Muell.) R.Vig. (nomenclatural synonym)

Distribution (APC): Qld, NSW

Profiles: APC, Flora of Australia, ALA, iNaturalist, NSW Flora, ATRP

Traits

Top source datasets: ANBG_2019 (6), Baker_2019 (2), Benwell_2024 (5), Bloomfield_2018 (249), Butler_2004 (5), Clarke_2009 (3), Clarke_2015 (3), Cooper_2013 (15), Gosper_2004 (1), Gross_2005 (4), Grubb_1996 (2), Ilic_2000 (4), Kanowski_2000 (137), Kew_2019_1 (3), Kooyman_2011 (14), Lusk_2010 (18), Lusk_2014 (3), NHNSW_2014_2 (11), NHNSW_2024 (16), NSWFRD_2014 (5), Pickup_2021 (5), RadfordSmith_2024 (36), Rumman_2018 (4), Sams_2017 (9), Sendall_2016 (57), Sjostrom_2006 (4), Wells_2012 (134), Wenk_2022 (2), Wenk_2023 (1), Westoby_2014 (15), Williams_2012 (4), Wills_2018 (75), Wright_2000 (9). See below for a full list of sources.
Summary: AusTraits contains 122 traits from 861 records in 33 datasets.

Traits by category (click to expand). For categorical traits, the values are listed. For numerical traits, the mean and range are shown.

fire response
  • resprouting_capacity (categorical): fire_killed (2); partial_resprouting (1); resprouts (3) [sources: Baker_2019; Benwell_2024; Clarke_2015; NSWFRD_2014; Pickup_2021; Williams_2012]
  • post_fire_recruitment (categorical): post_fire_recruitment (4) [sources: Benwell_2024; Clarke_2015; Pickup_2021; Williams_2012]
flower morphology
  • flower_colour (categorical): blue_purple (1) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2]
  • sex_type (categorical): monoecious (2) [sources: Gross_2005; Sjostrom_2006]
fruit morphology
  • fruit_length (numerical): 5.75 mm (5-7 mm) [sources: Cooper_2013; NHNSW_2024]
  • fruit_width (numerical): 5.75 mm (5-7 mm) [sources: Cooper_2013; NHNSW_2024]
  • fruit_type (categorical): drupe (6) [sources: Cooper_2013; Gross_2005; RadfordSmith_2024; Sams_2017; Sjostrom_2006; Wright_2000]
  • fruit_fleshiness (categorical): fleshy (6) [sources: Cooper_2013; Gross_2005; Sams_2017; Sjostrom_2006; Wells_2012; Wright_2000]
  • fruit_dehiscence (categorical): indehiscent (5) [sources: Cooper_2013; Gross_2005; Sams_2017; Sjostrom_2006; Wright_2000]
  • fruit_colour (categorical): black (1); purple (1) [sources: NHNSW_2024]
leaf morphology
  • leaf_area (numerical): 15894.36 mm2 (2540-90634.67 mm2) [sources: Kanowski_2000; RadfordSmith_2024; Westoby_2014]
  • leaflet_area (numerical): 2181.77 mm2 (294.1-5505.36 mm2) [sources: RadfordSmith_2024; Wells_2012]
  • leaf_length (numerical): 315 mm (40-1000 mm) [sources: Kooyman_2011; NHNSW_2014_2; NHNSW_2024]
  • leaf_width (numerical): 42.17 mm (3-70 mm) [sources: Kooyman_2011; NHNSW_2014_2; NHNSW_2024]
  • leaf_dry_mass (numerical): 264.38 mg (178.08-420.06 mg) [sources: RadfordSmith_2024]
  • leaf_mass_per_area (numerical): 82.58 g/m2 (13.83-216.78 g/m2) [sources: Bloomfield_2018; Kanowski_2000; Lusk_2010; Lusk_2014; RadfordSmith_2024; Sams_2017; Sendall_2016; Wells_2012; Wills_2018]
  • leaf_area_ratio (numerical): 12.41 mm2/mg (12.41-12.41 mm2/mg) [sources: Lusk_2014]
  • leaf_dry_matter_content (numerical): 0.35 g/g (0.21-0.44 g/g) [sources: Bloomfield_2018; Lusk_2010; RadfordSmith_2024; Wells_2012]
  • leaf_type (categorical): broadleaf (2) [sources: NHNSW_2024; Rumman_2018]
  • leaf_shape (categorical): elliptical (1); ovate (1) [sources: NHNSW_2024]
  • leaf_base_shape (categorical): rounded (1) [sources: NHNSW_2024]
  • leaf_margin (categorical): entire (2) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2; NHNSW_2024]
  • leaf_lobation (categorical): unlobed (1) [sources: Kooyman_2011]
  • leaf_compoundness (categorical): compound (2) [sources: Kooyman_2011; NHNSW_2014_2]
  • leaf_phyllotaxis (categorical): alternate (1) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2]
  • plant_photosynthetic_organ (categorical): leaf (1) [sources: NHNSW_2024]
life history
  • plant_growth_form (categorical): tree (10) [sources: Butler_2004; Clarke_2009; Cooper_2013; Grubb_1996; Kooyman_2011; NSWFRD_2014; Pickup_2021; Rumman_2018; Wells_2012; Wenk_2022]
  • life_history (categorical): perennial (1) [sources: Wenk_2023]
  • woodiness_detailed (categorical): woody (1) [sources: Wenk_2022]
  • stem_growth_habit (categorical): climbing (1) [sources: NHNSW_2014_2]
  • leaf_phenology (categorical): evergreen (2) [sources: Kooyman_2011; RadfordSmith_2024]
  • pollination_syndrome (categorical): bee (1) [sources: Wells_2012]
  • dispersal_syndrome (categorical): endozoochory (2) [sources: Butler_2004; RadfordSmith_2024]
  • dispersers (categorical): birds (2); flying_vertebrates (1); vertebrates (1) [sources: Butler_2004; Cooper_2013; Sams_2017; Wells_2012]
  • flowering_time (categorical): nnnyyyyynnnn (2); nyyyyyynnnnn (1) [sources: Cooper_2013; NHNSW_2014_2; NSWFRD_2014]
  • seedbank_location (categorical): soil_seedbank (5) [sources: Benwell_2024; Clarke_2009; NSWFRD_2014; Pickup_2021]
  • seedbank_longevity_class (categorical): persistent (1) [sources: Pickup_2021]
  • bud_bank_location (categorical): basal_buds (2); basal_stem_buds (2); bud-bearing_root (1) [sources: Baker_2019; Benwell_2024; Clarke_2015; NSWFRD_2014; Williams_2012]
nutrient and stable isotope
  • leaf_N_per_dry_mass (numerical): 19.3 mg/g (13.74-48.83 mg/g) [sources: Bloomfield_2018; Kanowski_2000; Sendall_2016; Wills_2018]
  • leaf_P_per_dry_mass (numerical): 1.11 mg/g (0.61-1.87 mg/g) [sources: Bloomfield_2018; Kanowski_2000; Sendall_2016; Wills_2018]
  • leaf_delta13C (numerical): -30.27 {delta}[ppth] (-30.27--30.27 {delta}[ppth]) [sources: Rumman_2018]
physiology
seed morphology
  • seed_dry_mass (numerical): 13.61 mg (3.84-21.91 mg) [sources: ANBG_2019; Grubb_1996; Kew_2019_1]
  • seed_length (numerical): 2.58 mm (2-3.75 mm) [sources: ANBG_2019; Cooper_2013; Kooyman_2011]
  • seed_width (numerical): 3.27 mm (1-4.81 mm) [sources: ANBG_2019; Butler_2004; Kooyman_2011]
  • seed_shape (categorical): discoid (1) [sources: ANBG_2019]
stem morphology
  • wood_density (numerical): 0.35 mg/mm3 (0.26-0.49 mg/mm3) [sources: Ilic_2000; Kooyman_2011; RadfordSmith_2024; Sams_2017; Wells_2012; Westoby_2014]
whole plant morphology
  • plant_height (numerical): 30 m (30-30 m) [sources: Cooper_2013; Kooyman_2011; NHNSW_2014_2; NHNSW_2024]

Sources

dataset_idn_traitsn_recordsreference
Bloomfield_201824249K. J. Bloomfield, L. A. Cernusak, D. Eamus, D. S. Ellsworth, I. C. Prentice, I. J. Wright, M. M. Boer, M. G. Bradford, P. Cale, J. Cleverly, J. J. G. Egerton, B. J. Evans, L. S. Hayes, M. F. Hutchinson, M. J. Liddell, C. Macfarlane, W. S. Meyer, S. M. Prober, H. F. Togashi, T. Wardlaw, L. Zhu, and O. K. Atkin. “A continental-scale assessment of variability in leaf traits: Within species, across sites and between seasons”. Functional Ecology 32.6 (2018), pp. 1492-1506. doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.13097.
Kanowski_200024137J. Kanowski. “Ecological determinants of the distribution and abundance of the folivorous marsupials endemic to the rainforests of the Atherton uplands, north Queensland.”. PhD. James Cook University, Townsville, 1999.
Wells_201222134J. A. Wells. “Phylogeny and inter-relations of ecological traits and seed dispersal in rainforest plants: Exploring aspects of functional diversity in primary and secondary rainforests in Australia's Wet Tropics.”. PhD. University of Queensland, 2012.
Wills_20181575J. Wills, J. Herbohn, J. Hu, S. Sohel, J. Baynes, and J. Firn. “Tree leaf trade-offs are stronger for sub-canopy trees: leaf traits reveal little about growth rates in canopy trees”. Ecological Applications 28.4 (2018), pp. 1116-1125. doi: 10.1002/eap.1715.
Sendall_2016557K. M. Sendall, C. H. Lusk, and P. B. Reich. “Trade-offs in juvenile growth potential vs. shade tolerance among subtropical rain forest trees on soils of contrasting fertility”. Functional Ecology 30.6 (2015), pp. 845-855. doi: 10.1111/1365-2435.12573.
RadfordSmith_20241536J. Radford-Smith, H. R. Lai, E. C. Weeren, and J. M. Dwyer. “A Functional Basis for the Assembly of Australian Subtropical Rainforest Tree Communities”. Ecology Letters 27.11 (2024). ISSN: 1461-0248. doi: 10.1111/ele.70014.
Lusk_2010918C. H. Lusk, Y. Onoda, R. Kooyman, and A. Gutiurrez-Giron. “Reconciling species-level vs plastic responses of evergreen leaf structure to light gradients: shade leaves punch above their weight”. New Phytologist 186.2 (2010), pp. 429-438. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2010.03202.x.
NHNSW_20241116N. H. of New South Wales. The Plant Information Network System of The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust Version 2.0.. accessed on December, 2023.. 2024. url: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/.
Cooper_20131215W. Cooper and W. T. Cooper. Australian rainforest fruits. CSIRO Publishing, 2013, p. 272.
Westoby_20141315S. M. Gleason, D. W. Butler, K. Zieminska, P. Waryszak, and M. Westoby. “Stem xylem conductivity is key to plant water balance across Australian angiosperm species”. Functional Ecology 26 (2012), pp. 343-352. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.01962.x.
Kooyman_20111014R. Kooyman, M. Rossetto, W. Cornwell, and M. Westoby. “Phylogenetic tests of community assembly across regional to continental scales in tropical and subtropical rain forests”. Global Ecology and Biogeography 20 (2011), pp. 707-716. doi: 10.1111/j.1466-8238.2010.00641.x.
NHNSW_2014_2911Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. PLantNET: NSW flora online. 2014. url: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/.
Sams_201789M. A. Sams, H. R. Lai, S. P. Bonser, P. A. Vesk, R. M. Kooyman, D. J. Metcalfe, J. W. Morgan, and M. M. Mayfield. “Landscape context explains changes in the functional diversity of regenerating forests better than climate or species richness”. Global Ecology and Biogeography 26.10 (2017), pp. 1165-1176. doi: 10.1111/geb.12627.
Wright_200099I. J. Wright, H. T. Clifford, R. Kidson, M. L. Reed, B. L. Rice, and M. Westoby. “A survey of seed and seedling characters in 1744 Australian dicotyledon species: Cross-species trait correlations and correlated trait-shifts within evolutionary lineages”. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 69 (2000), pp. 521-547. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2000.tb01222.x.
ANBG_201956Australian National Botanic Gardens. The National Seed Bank. 2018. url: http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/living/seedbank/.
Benwell_202455A. Benwell. “Fire responses of flora in a sclerophyll-rainforest vegetation complex in the Nightcap Range, North Coast, New South Wales”. Australian Journal of Botany 72.1 (2024). Ed. by D. Williams. ISSN: 1444-9862. doi: 10.1071/bt23049.
Butler_200455D. W. Butler, R. J. Green, D. Lamb, W. J. F. Mcdonald, and P. I. Forster. “Biogeography of seed-dispersal syndromes, life-forms and seed sizes among woody rain-forest plants in Australia's subtropics”. Journal of Biogeography 34.10 (2007), pp. 1736-1750. ISSN: 1365-2699. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2007.01734.x.
NSWFRD_201455B. Kenny, C. Orscheg, E. Tasker, M. A. Gill, and R. Bradstock. NSW Flora Fire Response Database, v2.1. database. NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment, 2014.
Pickup_202155M. Pickup and T. McDonald. Bushfire impacts — A national model for assessing local landscape restoration priorities. Project Phoenix Report. Greening Australia, 2021. url: https://www.greeningaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1.02R2.pdf.
Gross_200544C. L. Gross. “A comparison of the sexual systems in the trees from the Australian tropics with other tropical biomes-more monoecy but why?”. American Journal of Botany 92.6 (2005), pp. 907-919. doi: 10.3732/ajb.92.6.907.
Ilic_200014J. Ilic, D. Boland, M. McDonald, D. G, and P. Blakemore. Woody density phase 1 - State of knowledge. National Carbon Accounting System. Technical Report 18. Tech. rep. Australian Greenhouse Office, Canberra, Australia, 2000.
Rumman_201844R. Rumman, O. K. Atkin, K. J. Bloomfield, and D. Eamus. “Variation in bulk-leaf 13C discrimination, leaf traits and wateruse efficiency-trait relationships along a continental-scale climate gradient in Australia”. Global Change Biology 24 (2018), pp. 1186-1200. doi: 10.1111/gcb.13911.
Sjostrom_200644A. Sjöström and C. L. Gross. “Life-history characters and phylogeny are correlated with extinction risk in the Australian angiosperms”. Journal of Biogeography 33.2 (2006), pp. 271-290. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01393.x.
Williams_201244P. R. Williams, M. Parsons, R. Jensen, and C. Tran. “Mechanisms of rainforest persistence and recruitment in frequently burnt wet tropical eucalypt forests”. Austral Ecology 37.2 (2012), pp. 268-275. ISSN: 1442-9993. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2011.02271.x.
Clarke_200923P. J. Clarke, K. J. E. Knox, M. L. Campbell, and L. M. Copeland. “Post-fire recovery of woody plants in the New England Tableland Bioregion”. Cunninghamia 11 (2009), pp. 221-239. doi: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/4907.
Clarke_201533P. J. Clarke, M. J. Lawes, B. P. Murphy, J. Russell-Smith, C. E. Nano, R. Bradstock, N. J. Enright, J. B. Fontaine, C. R. Gosper, I. Radford, J. J. Midgley, and R. M. Gunton. “A synthesis of postfire recovery traits of woody plants in Australian ecosystems”. Science of The Total Environment 534 (2015), pp. 31-42. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.04.002.
Kew_2019_113Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Seed Information Database (SID) and Seed Bank Database. 2019. url: http://data.kew.org/sid/.
Lusk_201433C. H. Lusk, K. M. Sendall, and P. J. Clarke. “Seedling growth rates and light requirements of subtropical rainforest trees associated with basaltic and rhyolitic soils”. Australian Journal of Botany 62.1 (2014), pp. 48-55. doi: 10.1071/bt13262.
Baker_201922A. Baker. “Unpublished data: Post-fire fire-response surveys on the NSW north coast, Southern Cross University”. 2019.
Grubb_199622P. J. Grubb and D. J. Metcalfe. “Adaptation and inertia in the Australian tropical lowland rain-forest flora: Contradictory trends in intergeneric and intrageneric comparisons of seed size in relation to light demand”. Functional Ecology 10 (1996), pp. 512-520. doi: 10.2307/2389944.
Wenk_202222E. Wenk. “Unpublished data: Australian plant growth forms dataset”. 2022.
Gosper_200411C. R. Gosper. “Fruit characteristics of invasive bitou bush, Chrysanthemoides monilifera (Asteraceae), and a comparison with co-occurring native plant species”. Australian Journal of Botany 52.2 (2004), pp. 223-230. doi: 10.1071/bt03046.
Wenk_202311E. Wenk. “Unpublished data: Australian plant life history dataset, University of New South Wales, Sydney”. 2023.