This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Tetrapanax papyrifer
  • Rice Paper Plant

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Tetrapanax genus in the family Araliaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Tetrapanax papyrifer has 0 edible uses listed
Tetrapanax papyrifer has 0 material uses listed
Tetrapanax papyrifer has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root[1][2]. No more details are given.

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

The inner pith of the stems is used to make 'rice paper'[3][4][5][6]. It is also used for making toys and flowers, for surgical dressings and for painting on[5]. The paper is made by cutting thin slivers from long sections of the pith[7].

Unknown part

Paper

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The pith is deobstruent, diuretic, febrifuge, galactagogue, sedative and vermifuge[8][7]. It is used in Korea in the treatment of oedema[9].

Unknown part

Diuretic
Febrifuge
Galactogogue
Sedative
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse[10]. 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[K]. Division of suckers in the early spring. They can be difficult to establish[10]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Tetrapanax papyrifer. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any fertile soil[11][10] and in most situations[10]. Prefers a moist but well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun or semi-shade[12]. The plant requires a sheltered position in order to prevent damage to its large leaves[13].

Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain and are normally best grown in a cool greenhouse[3], but in selected sites they can tolerate temperatures down to about -5°c[14][10]. They are often cut back to ground level in cold winters but will normally regrow from the rootstock in the spring[10]. The plant can, in fact, become invasive, spreading by means of a vigorous suckering rootstock[10]. Plants are growing well at Menehay in Cornwall[15]. 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[K]. 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[K]. Plants are much cultivated in China for the pith obtained from the stems, which is used to make 'rice paper'[4][16]. A very ornamental plant[10], it is closely related to Fatsia japonica[11].

The flowers are produced in autumn and are often damaged by frosts[11].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Tetrapanax papyrifer. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Tetrapanax papyrifer.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Genus
Tetrapanax
Family
Araliaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
[8][7][9]
Material uses & Functions
[3][4][5][6][7]
Botanic
[10][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    5 x 5 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    13. ? Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    14. ? Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent (1990-00-00)
    15. ? Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall. ()
    16. ? 16.016.1 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)

    "image:Rice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Tetrapanax_papyrifer&oldid=81235"
    Facts about "Tetrapanax papyrifer"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyAraliaceae +
    Belongs to genusTetrapanax +
    Has binomial nameTetrapanax papyrifer +
    Has common nameRice Paper Plant +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageRice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material usePaper +
    Has mature height5 +
    Has mature width5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic +, Febrifuge +, Galactogogue +, Sedative + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageRice Paper Plant-Fitch.jpg +
    Has search nametetrapanax papyrifer + and rice paper plant +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameTetrapanax papyrifer +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Tetrapanax papyrifer +, Tetrapanax papyrifer +, Tetrapanax papyrifer +, Tetrapanax papyrifer +, Tetrapanax papyrifer +, Tetrapanax papyrifer + and Tetrapanax papyrifer +