Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) is an outdoor plant whose leaves have 9 leaflets and Schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricola also known as the umbrella plant) is a popular indoor plant with 9 leaflets. For 9 leaf plant identification, stay with me in this post to show you their pics and even more.
First, let’s get familiar with two botanic terms about leaf shape for easier leaf plant identification.
Plant identification by Leaf characteristics is a common easy way. The size, shape and color of leaves must be considered to identify. I discussed it in my other post.
You can find various leaf numbers in plants depending on their variety, age, growing conditions, and even the season, so, it’s not fixed. Hence, the thing you’ve seen as a “9-leaf plant” is indeed a compound-leaf plant with 9 leaflets.
Do you know what is a compound leaf? The leaves can be simple or compound.
Simple leaves: if your leaf blade is completely undivided, is called a simple leaf. A simple leaf can be lobed or unlobed.
Please note that a lobed leaf varies from a divided or compound leaf. As you can see in the above picture, the gaps between lobes do not reach the main vein in a simple lobed leaf.
Compound leaves: when the leaf blade is very deep-lobed so that is divided into several leaflets, it is called a compound leaf. The leaflets are attached to the middle vein on one stalk.
Hemp
Scientific name: Cannabis Sativa
Common names: Cannabis, Indian hemp, marihuana, and marijuana
Its leaves have 9 leaflets that are long, narrow, and light green which resemble fingers.
You can easily distinguish Cannabis Sativa from other common cannabis species with its leaflets number.
Cannabis Sativa: 9 leaflets
Cannabis indica: 7 leaflets
Cannabis ruderalis: 5 leaflets
The bush of Cannabis Sativa is also higher than indica and ruderalis species.
Schefflera
Scientific name: Heptapleurum arboricola
Common names: Dwarf Umbrella-Tree, Umbrella Shrub, Star Leaf, Hawaiian Elf Schefflera, Hawaiian Elf
The popular indoor plant known as Schefflera (Dwarf Umbrella-Tree) belongs to the genus Heptapleurum.
Heptapleurum arboricola has compound leaves with 7-9 leaflets. Its leaflets are oval or elliptical with smooth edges and a leathery texture. Their tips can be pointed or sometimes notched. The leaflets are arranged in a palate formation and resemble an open umbrella.
Leaves can be light to dark green or even variegated (with creamy white, yellow, or lime green splashes).
Heptapleurum arboricola can grow up to 8-9 meters in its natural habitat and is considered a tall shrub or even a small tree, hence the name “Dwarf Umbrella-Tree”. However, in houseplant conditions, this plant grows smaller, around 4-6 feet tall.
However is not a safe plant for cats and dogs but is an air purification plant which brings a fresh atmosphere to your house.
However, Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and Schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricola) have 9 leaflets but the number of leaflets can be varied depending on age and growth conditions. For instance, the new leaves of Heptapleurum arboricola often have 7 leaflets. So, for a 9 leaf plant identification, you should consider other characteristics too.
In addition, you may have spotted other wild plants with 9 leaflets that I didn’t mention here. What do you do for wild plant identification?
I recommend using a reliable Plant identifier tool. I tested the “House Plant Identifier” to identify indoor, outdoor, and wild plants. I even tested it for brown mushroom identification and found it works well.
The “House Plant Identifier” is a free online tool that can detect plant disease too (I don’t have tested this option. I’m a plant pathologist and can detect plant disease easily. However, I recommend you try it and share your experiences with me below this page).
Working with “House Plant Identifier” is very easy with high accuracy. It can identify your 9-leaf plant (or any other plant) in only 2 seconds.
I showed you the images of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and Schefflera (Heptapleurum arboricola) with their compound leaves including 9 leaflets. I hope it would be helpful. I also told you for 9 leaf plant identification you can get help from a reliable plant identifier such as the “House Plant Identifier”.
Have you ever used the plant identification tools? Do you think they can work well? Please tell my readers and me about your experiences and ideas below this page.
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.