Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice paper plant (通草—tong cao), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax.[1][2] The specific epithet is frequently misspelled as "papyriferum", "papyriferus", or "papyrifera". It is native to eastern and central China and Taiwan,[1] but widely cultivated in East Asia and in other tropical[3] to mild temperate regions as well.[4][5]
| Tetrapanax | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Aralioideae |
| Genus: | Tetrapanax (K.Koch) K.Koch |
| Species: | T. papyrifer
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tetrapanax papyrifer | |
The species was first described in the genus Aralia as Aralia papyrifera, and has also been treated in Fatsia as Fatsia papyrifera.[1][6]
A second species, Tetrapanax tibetanus, is now regarded as a synonym of Merrilliopanax alpinus.[7]
Description
editTetrapanax grows between 3–7 metres tall, with usually unbranched stems 2–9 cm in diameter, and bearing a rosette of large leaves atop the crown; the top of the plant can visually, albeit superficially, appear similar to a number of plants belonging to Arecaceae (the palm family). The leaves are carried on 40–60 cm petioles; the orbicular leaf blade measures from 50 to 75 cm across (to a metre across in some cultivars[8]), with anywhere from 5-12 deeply incised palmate lobes, the central lobes being larger and Y-forked near the end. It spreads extensively, by sprouts and runners from the root system, underground. The inflorescence is a large panicle of hemispherical or globular umbels, at the end of the stem. The flowers have 4-6 small, white petals. The fruit is a small berry 4 mm in diameter.[6]
Uses
editTetrapanax papyrifer is used in traditional Chinese medicine. The pith from the stem is used to make a substance commonly known as rice paper,[6] but more properly termed pith paper.
The species is cultivated as an ornamental specimen plant, and has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]
Cultivars
editThe cultivar 'Rex' is a semi-evergreen shrub or tree with huge palmate leaves up to a metre diameter. Classified by the Royal Horticultural Society as H4, it is evergreen in mild locations, deciduous where temperatures fall below freezing, and herbaceous with more prolonged freezing. It prefers a sheltered position in full sun or partial shade.[8]
Gallery
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At the Jardin des plantes de Paris, France -
Leaf -
Inflorescence
References
edit- ^ a b c POWO. "Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K.Koch". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ Qibai Xiang & Porter P. Lowry. "Tetrapanax". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ George W. Staples and Derral R. Herbst. 2005. "A Tropical Garden Flora". Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.
- ^ a b "Tetrapanax papyrifer". RHS. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Tetrapanax papyrifer". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
- ^ a b c Qibai Xiang & Porter P. Lowry. "Tetrapanax papyrifer". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ Qibai Xiang & Porter P. Lowry. "Merrilliopanax alpinus". Flora of China. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'". RHS. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
External links
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Media related to Tetrapanax at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Tetrapanax at Wikispecies- Chinese Botanical Paintings, Tetrapanax papyriferum (Hook.) Koch
