Tetrapanax
| Tetrapanax papyrifer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Subfamily: | Aralioideae |
| Genus: | Tetrapanax (K.Koch) K.Koch |
| Species: | T. papyrifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K.Koch | |
Tetrapanax papyrifer (้่โtong cao, or Rice-paper Plant) is an evergreen shrub in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax.[citation needed] 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. [1]
The pith from the stem is used to make a substance commonly known as rice paper, but more properly termed pith paper.
The species was once included in the genus Fatsia as Fatsia papyrifera.
A second species, Tetrapanax tibetanus, is now regarded as a synonym of Merrilliopanax alpinus (C.B. Clarke) C.B. Shang.
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.
Gallery
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Tetrapanax papyrifer at the botanical garden of Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini, Genova
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Leaf of Tetrapanax papyrifer
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Inflorescence of Tetrapanax papyrifer
References
- โ George W. Staples and Derral R. Herbst. 2005. "A Tropical Garden Flora". Bishop Museum Press: Honolulu, HI, USA.