(Fatsia japonica), evergreen shrub or small tree, in the ginseng family ( Araliaceae), native to Japan but widely grown indoors for its striking foliage and easy care. In nature it can attain a height to 5 metres (16 feet); the glossy, dark-green leaves, roughly star-shaped, with 7 to 9 lobes, may be nearly 45 centimetres (1 ¹/₂ feet) across. Compact-growing and variegated leaved varieties are available. Occasionally, under good indoor conditions, it may produce white flower clusters followed by shiny black fruit.