Is Schefflera a fortune tree?

1. Is it the same plant?

Schefflera is not a money tree. Schefflera is an evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the genus Schefflera of the Araliaceae family, while the money tree belongs to the genus Castanea of ​​the Bombacaceae family.

2. The difference between the two

1. Leaf difference: The leaves of Schefflera are papery or leathery, dark green, oblong, elliptical or obovate-elliptical in shape. There are 6 to 9 leaflets on a leaf stem, and each leaflet is 9 to 17 cm long. 3 to 5 cm wide. The leaves of the fortune tree are palmately compound, dark green, and usually have 5 to 7 leaflets. The leaflets are short-petiolate or sessile, and the leaves are short.

2. Difference in petals: The Schefflera has a panicle-shaped inflorescence, about 20 to 30 cm long. The inflorescence has 10 to 15 flowers, 5 to 6 petals, and the flowers are light yellow and slightly green. The flowers of the money tree are large, up to 22.5 cm in length, with linear petals and come in light yellow, red or white colors.

3. Fruit difference: The fruit of Schefflera is spherical and black, with a diameter of 5 mm. The fruit of the fortune tree is a woody fruit that is nearly pear-shaped, yellowish-brown, and hairless on the surface.