Tetrapanax papyiferus
Common Names: Rice-paper plant, Aralia papyifera (syn.), Fatsia
papyifera (syn.)
Family: Araliaceae (ginseng Family)
Shrub Easy to grow - great for beginners! Tolerant of Shade and Low
Light Conditions Can be Grown in Containers Has Unusual or
Interesting Foliage Flowers
Description
Rice paper plant is a thicket-forming evergreen shrub or small tree
with huge long-petiole leaves that are 10-15 in (15.4-38 cm) across.
The palmate lobed leaves (5-11 toothed lobes) are densely
white-pubescent and feltlike beneath. An individual shrub can reach
15 ft (4.6 m) tall with a similar spread. it may, however, be part
of a thicket covering a much larger area. The flowers are white
wooly balls arranged in large conspicuous panicles up to 3 ft (0.9
m) long that extend up and outward beyond the foliage. The flowers
appear in autumn and are followed by clusters of spherical black
berries, each about 1/8 in (0.3 cm) in diameter. The cultivar, 'Variegata',
has dark green leaves variegated with cream or white.
Location
Rice paper plant, Tetrapanax papyiferus, is native to southern China
and Taiwan. It has escaped cultivation and become established in
disturbed areas in peninsular Florida.
Culture
Light:Light shade.
Moisture: Needs regular watering.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7 - 11. In zones 7-9 rice paper plant dies to
the ground in winter and sprouts back in spring.
Propagation: From seeds or from cuttings in early spring.
Usage
Rice paper plant is grown for its attractive large, fan-shaped
leaves. Use it in a sheltered location because it is susceptible to
damage from wind. Rice paper plant is a good choice against a wall.
Mix it with other large-leaved plants for a tropical look. In mild
winter areas the rugged rice paper plant is a good choice for
outdoor containers in frostfree areas and indoors where its dramatic
foliage adds interest to any interior.
Features
A type of fine "rice" paper is made from the pith of the stems of
this plant. Like its American relative, devil's walking-stick (Aralia
spinosa), rice paper plant produces flowers that are very attractive
to bees.
WARNING Rice paper plant spreads by suckering and forms thickets,
so use it where there is room for expansion. Some suckers may come
up as far as 20 ft (2.1 m) from the parent plant. Some people get a
rash from contact with the foliage. |
