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Are Schefflera and the money tree the same plant?

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Schefflera is an evergreen shrub. As we can see from the pictures, its branches are very dense and it has a great many branchlets. Of course, it does not only have green leaves; its flowers are very small and pink. It also has berries, which are dark red, round and very cute. Some people think this plant is the money tree, because it has a similar function. However, this is not rigorous, as there are some differences between them.

1. What is the money tree

We first need to understand what this plant is before we can know the differences between the two. It is also known as "Malabar chestnut", "Guava chestnut", etc. It is a small evergreen shrub of the Malvaceae family (formerly Bombacaceae) and is often used as a potted plant.

2. Differences between the two

(1) Leaves, flowers and fruit: This is the difference in appearance between the two. First, the leaves. For the first plant, it has six to nine leaflets, sparsely arranged, star-shaped, with very short soft hairs, and some are hairless, with leaf blades that are papery or leathery. For the second plant, it has five to eleven leaflets, some with short stalks and some without; its shape is often round, or ovate-round, and its base is wedge-shaped; in addition, its leaf blades are also hairless.

Next are their flowers. The first has panicle inflorescences, terminal, and pink in color; the second plant's are needle-shaped or linear, and light yellow-green in color.

Finally, the fruit. The former's fruit is spherical and dark red; the second's fruit is close to the shape of a pear and is dark brown.

(2) Flowering period: The first type of plant flowers from November to December; the second type flowers from May to November, which is longer.

3. The functions of Schefflera

Although it is not the money tree, it has fairly similar functions. In fact, it also carries the meaning of attracting wealth and good fortune. In addition, it can also be used to ward off evil, and it is very good to keep it indoors, in an office, or in a courtyard.

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