Parasol tree is native to Uganda. A tall forest tree widely distributed in wetter highland forests into the bamboo zone and growing as far south as South Africa. In Uganda it grows in woodland and semi-humid and humid highland forests with Syzygium, Cordia, Olea, Apodytes and Aningeria. Abundant in colonizing and riverine forest. Absent from Bunyoro it is widespread elsewhere in Uganda. It requires light and may be abundant at forest edges. In Kampala, this tree species can be found within Makerere university.

A deciduous tree to 25 m with a straight slender bole to about 9 m before the development of whorls of branches, like spokes of an umbrella, supporting a flat-topped crown.

BARK: grey, smooth, leaf scars prominent, flaking on older trees.

LEAVES: compound, pinnate, to 1 m with 9-13 pairs of leaflets plus one at the tip, each leaflet oval and leathery, 9-20 cm, base rounded, covered with cream-yellow hairs below.

FLOWERS: green-yellow, honey scented, very small in loose much-branched heads to 60 cm, main stalks with red-brown scales.

FRUIT: each fruit is small, black, oval, often ribbed, closely clustered on the branches.

Medicine: the bark, and leaves. http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php id=Polyscias+fulva, https://www.prota4u.org/database/protav8.asp g=pe&p=Polyscias+fulva+(Hiern)+Harms

Provides fuelwood though it is of poor quality.

Agroforestry: flowers are a good source of nectar and pollen for honey bees, planted in living fences, leaf fall provides a good mulch, high crown lets in sunlight, making the tree suitable for intercropping with, can be useful in re-establishing native woodland.

The wood is used for interior joinery, doors, utensils, musical instruments, containers, boxes, crates, beehives, carvings, matches, veneer and plywood. It is valued for carving to make handicrafts and masks, and also for making drums.