Dendropanax trifidus is an flowering evergreen shrub or small tree in the ivy family that can reach a maximum height of 25 feet with glossy, large, triple lobed leaves that become entire on adult trees and bring a tropical look to the landscape. The tree has a rounded, or umbrella like, form and good branching structure. This plant is hardy through USDA zone 7 and tolerates all light conditions, including full shade. Its flowers are yellowish-green and unassuming, but the black fruits that follow are relished by birds. Dendropanax trifidus is rare in the United States, but is a tough and adaptable addition to the landscape that tolerates full sun to total shade as well as summer drought. It does best in average, well drained soil. In full sun, it will need regular watering. The plant is deer resistant. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or pests.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 7 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Broad; Rounded
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cuneate; Elliptical; Obtuse; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large glossy three lobed leaves on juvenile plants. Leaf blade often dimorphic. Unlobed blades are ovate or elliptic to broadly ovate. Three-veined at the base, secondary veins are raised on both surfaces. Lobed blades on juvenile plants become entire on mature plants.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Flower form
Solitary; Umbel
Flower detail
Yellowish-green flowers are terminal, solitary umbels or more often 2 to 5 flowers including late blooming male flowers.
Fruit color
Black; White
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
White berries turning black in the fall.
Bark color
Light Brown
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Korea, Central and Southern Japan, Taiwan
Wildlife value
Birds enjoy the fruits. Flowers attract bees and beneficial wasps.
Attracts
Bees; Pollinators; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Woodland
Landscape theme
Drought Tolerant Garden
Design feature
Accent; Flowering Tree; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen shrub #green flowers #drought tolerant #black fruits #evergreen tree #small tree #tropical evergreen #glossy leaves #evergreen #food source fall #bird friendly #tropical feel #hardy #wildlife friendly