Fatsia japonica (Thunb.) Decne. & Planch.

Shrub or small tree up to 2–(4) m high. Stems softly hairy when young, becoming glabrous when mature; lf scars prominent. Lvs softly hairy when young, particularly below, glabrous on both surfaces when mature, alternate, broadly ovate to suborbicular, cordate, (3)–5–10-palmately lobed to c. 1/2-⅔ radius, c. (6)–15–60 cm long; lobes acute to acuminate, usually finely serrate, sometimes entire or coarsely serrate; petioles softly hairy when young, glabrous when mature, (5)–10–50 cm long. Infl. a terminal raceme or panicle of numerous-flowered globose umbels, finely hairy; petals white, c. 2.5–3 mm long. Fr. black, 5–8 mm diam.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Mar.–May.