Scientific name Tetrapanax papyrifer Rank Species | Higher classification Tetrapanax | |
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Genus Tetrapanax(K.Koch) K.Koch Similar Tetrapanax, Araliaceae, Fatsia, Oxypetalum, Paperplant | ||
Overwintering tetrapanax papyrifer rex and a bit more about colocasias wmv
Tetrapanax papyrifer (rice-paper plant, or ้่โtong cao) is an evergreen shrub in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax. The specific epithet is frequently misspelled as "papyriferum", "papyriferus", or "papyrifera". It is endemic to Taiwan, but widely cultivated in East Asia and sometimes in other tropical regions as well. The species was once included in the genus Fatsia as Fatsia papyrifera.
Contents
- Overwintering tetrapanax papyrifer rex and a bit more about colocasias wmv
- Tetrapanax papyrifer rex at big plant nursery in west sussex uk
- Description
- Uses
- References
A second species, Tetrapanax tibetanus, is now regarded as a synonym of Merrilliopanax alpinus.
Tetrapanax papyrifer rex at big plant nursery in west sussex uk
Description
It grows to 3-7 m tall, with usually unbranched stems 2 cm diameter bearing a rosette of large leaves at the top (superficially similar to a palm crown). The leaves are carried on 40-60 cm petioles, the leaf blade orbicular, 30-50 cm across, deeply palmately lobed with 5-11 primary lobes, the central lobes larger and Y-forked near the end. It spreads extensively by sprouts from the root system underground. The inflorescence is a large panicle of hemispherical to globular umbels near the end of the stem. The flowers have 4 or 5 small white petals. The fruit is a small drupe.
Uses
Tetrapanax papyrifer is used in traditional Chinese medicine and as an ornamental. The pith from the stem is used to make a substance commonly known as rice paper, but more properly termed pith paper.
