Tetrapanax papyrifer
(Rice-paper Plant)
Family - Araliaceae
Category - Shrub
Origin - Taiwan
Year of Introduction - 1850
Season of Interest - Summer, Autumn
Hardiness - H3
Height - up to 5m, usually around 3m in UK
Width - up to 5m, usually around 3m in UK
Location - The Exotic Garden
Description: A large Shrub that is Deciduous in frosty climates but may develop into a small, Evergreen tree in mild, frost-free regions. Enormous, palmately lobed leaves with finely toothed margins are grey-green to mid-green and covered with dense, beige felt on the undersides and petioles. Each umbrella-like leaf can reach to 50cm or more across. The leaves are held at the tips of the woody stems. Small, creamy white flowers are held in rounded umbels, which are held on tall, upright panicles. The flowers are scented and produced from late autumn into winter and are followed by small, round, black fruit. This plant is usually grown for its huge, dramatic leaves. The piths of the stems can be used to make rice paper.
Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
Flower:
Small, creamy-white flowers are held in small, round umbels. The umbels are held in panicles on upright stems and are produced from October into December. The flowers have a sweet scent and are followed by small, round, black fruit. This plant is usually grown for the effect of the foliage rather than the flowers.
Flower colour: White
Flower shape: Small flowers held in umbels
Flowering time: October, November, December
Foliage:
Enormous, umbrella-like leaves can reach 50cm or more across. The leaves are palmately lobed with serrate margins. Each leaf is grey-green to mid-green and covered with dense, soft, beige felt on the undersides of the young leaves and petioles. The upper surfaces of the leaves are more subtly covered in fine, soft hairs. The leaves are Alternately arranged on tall, towering stems. The leaves are held at the tips of the thick, woody stems.
Foliage Senescence: Deciduous in UK
Foliage Shape: Palmately lobed
Propagation:
Division, seed and suckers.
Cultivation:
Best in a sheltered position in full sun in moisture-retentive soil that is well-drained.