Jenny's Garden...Plant images and gardening descriptions

Tetrapanax papyrifer
(Rice-paper Tree, Chinese Rice-paper Plant, Tung-tsau)

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Image of the beautiful Tetrapanax papyrifer Plant

Tetrapanax papyrifer
(Rice-paper Tree, Chinese Rice-paper Plant, Tung-tsau)

Synonyms:  Aralia papyrifera, Fatsia papyrifera, Tetrapanax papyriferus
Family:  Araliaceae
Origin:  Taiwan
Light:  Part shade
Height:  10-16' 
Spread:  6-8'
Blooms:  Creamy white, hermaphrodite, 4-5 petals in each flower, large umbel at stem apex, in late Summer
Foliage:  Evergreen, deeply palmately lobed
Soil:  Well-drained, humus-rich, keep moist

Water:  Regular
Propagation: Cuttings, seeds (sow in the Fall), cuttings, sucker divisions (early Spring)
Uses:  Specimen, accent, landscaping, Shade or filtered shade garden,  sunny edge
Caution:  Plant is invasive
Comments:  Tetrapanax papyrifer or Rice-paper Tree or Chinese Rice-paper Plant, Tung-tsau or Aralia papyrifera or Fatsia papyrifera or Tetrapanax papyriferus is an beautiful  evergreen shrub with unbranched stems and large rosette of leaves on the top of plant. The fruit is a small drupe.  Protect from frost.  Chinese Rice-paper Plant is hardy to zone 8 and can tolerate temperature down to 20-25deegrees F.  This carefree plant spreads by underground rootstocks. The Chinese use the pith to make rice paper. The Koreans value it for medicinal purposes. The roots are edible.  Aralia papyrifera makes an attractive  ornamental tree for the shade or semi-shade garden.  Excessive sun will cause leaf damage.
USDA Hardiness Zones :  6-9