Closely related to Fatsia japonica[].

Common Name: Rice Paper Plant

General Information

Tetrapanax papyrifer is a shrub or small tree growing up to 3.5 metres tall with a bole about 9cm in diameter[].
Plants are much cultivated in China for medicinal purposes and for the pith obtained from the stems, which is used to make 'rice paper'[, ]. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental elsewhere in the Tropics[].
The plant can become invasive, spreading by means of a vigorous suckering rootstock[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southeastern China, Taiwan.

Habitat

Hillsides in mixed forests and shrub thickets at elevations of 100 - 2800 metres[, ]. Subtropical forests[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tetrapanax papyrifer is a plant of mainly subtropical areas, it is cultivated as an ornamental in the tropics[]. Plants can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[, ]. They are often cut back to ground level in cold winters but will normally regrow from the rootstock in the spring[].
Succeeds in any fertile soil[, ] and in most situations[]. Prefers a moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or semi-shade[]. The plant requires a sheltered position in order to prevent damage to its large leaves[].
The plant can become invasive, spreading by means of a vigorous suckering rootstock[].
A very ornamental plant[].

Plants are growing well at Menehay in Cornwall[]. A young specimen was seen at Hilliers Arboretum in April 1999. It had about 3 years of growth above ground and was growing in a sheltered but fairly sunny position with no sign of die-back[]. Even more established plants can be found growing by a south-facing wall against a greenhouse at Cambridge Botanical Gardens. They had at least 4 years of growth above the ground in spring 1999 and were spreading at the roots[].

Edible Uses

The inner pith of the stems is used to make 'rice paper'[, , , ]. Rice paper can be used to wrap foods, and can be eaten with the food.

Root[, ]. No more details are given.

Medicinal

The pith is deobstruent, diuretic, febrifuge, galactagogue, sedative and vermifuge[, ]. It is used in Korea in the treatment of oedema[].
The pith has been employed in Chinese medicine for surgical dressings[].

Other Uses

The inner pith of the stems is used to make 'rice paper'[, , , ]. It is also used for making toys and flowers, for surgical dressings and for painting on[]. The paper is made by cutting thin slivers from long sections of the pith[].

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on for at least their first year in the greenhouse. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from winter cold for their first few years outdoors[].
Division of suckers in the early spring. They can be difficult to establish[]. It is probably best to pot up the divisions and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse until they are well established. Keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter then plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.