Centella

Fifty species, all native to southern Africa but with some species occurring as far north as Malawi and one species, Centella asiatica, also occurring in Asia. Centella used to be in the family Apiaceae but has been transferred to the Araliaceae on the basis of genetic evidence (Plunkett, Soltis & Soltis 1997).

Cussonia

The 25 species are native to tropical and southern Africa, as well as the Mascarene Islands. There are 12 species in southern Africa.

Hydrocotyle

About 130 species, distributed worldwide with six indigenous and one naturalised species in southern Africa. Hydrocotyle used to be in the family Apiaceae but has been transferred to the Araliaceae on the basis of genetic evidence (Plunkett, Soltis & Soltis 1997).

Polyscias

One species is native to southern Africa, and another three species from SE Asia and the Pacific are cultivated in southern Africa.

Schefflera

About 200 species, native to Africa, Madagascar, the Far East and New Zealand. There are two species native to southern Africa and four species cultivated in the region.

Seemannaralia

The single species, Seemannaralia gerrardii, is native to southern Africa.

Aralia

Aralia chinensis (from China), Aralia racemosa (from North America) and Aralia spinosa (also from North America) are cultivated in southern Africa.

Dizygotheca

Dizygotheca elegantissima is native to New Caledonia and is cultivated in southern Africa.

Fatsia

Fatsia japonica (Yatsude) is native to Japan and is cultivated in southern Africa.

Hedera (ivies) 

About 9-11 species, all climbers, native to North Africa, Canary Islands, the Azores, Madeira, and from Europe to Himalayas, China, Korea and Japan. Common Ivy or English Ivy Hedera helix is a commonly grown garden climber. Hedera canariensis (Canary ivy) and Hedera colchica (Persian ivy) are also cultivated in gardens in southern Africa.

Heteropanax

Heteropanax fragrans, native from India to Indonesia, is cultivated in southern Africa.

Meryta

Meryta denhamii (native to New Caledonia) and Meryta sinclairii (Puka - native to New Zealand) are cultivated in southern Africa.

Neopanax

Neopanax arboreus (New Zealand cabbage tree) and Neopanax laetus (Red-ribbed cabbage tree - also from New Zealand) are cultivated in southern Africa.

Pseudopanax

Pseudopanax lessonii (Houpara - native to New Zealand) is cultivated in southern Africa.

Tetrapanax

Tetrapanax papyriferus (Rice-paper tree) is native to Taiwan and is cultivated in southern Africa. The pith of the tree is used to produce rice paper.

Trevesia

Trevesia palmata is native from India through to China and is cultivated in southern Africa.

Panax (Ginseng genus)

Ginseng is extracted from the roots of species in this genus, particularly Panax pseudoginseng ( from China, Korea), Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng - native to eastern N America). Ginseng is regarded as a stimulant with supposed aphrodisiac properties.