Tetrapanax papyrifer

Tetrapanax papyrifer (Tung-tsau or Rice-paper Plant) is an evergreen shrub in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax. It is endemic to Taiwan, but also widely cultivated elsewhere in eastern Asia. 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, each lobe usually secondarily lobulate. It spreads extensively by sprouts from the root system underground.

The flowers are produced in a large umbel at the apex of the stem, each flower with 4-5 small white petals. The fruit is a small drupe.

The pith from the stem is used to make a substance commonly known as rice paper, but more properly termed pith paper.

Tacca

Tacca is a genus of ten species of flowering plants in the order Dioscoreales, native to tropical regions of Africa and southeastern Asia.


Some species
Tacca leontopetaloides or Polynesian arrowroot is... more >>>

Belamcanda

Belamcanda is a genus of flowering plants of the family Iridaceae. The leaves grow in a fan, like those of a gladiolus. The flowers are typically orange spotted with red, although yellow-flowered varieties are in cultivation. The seed pods... more >>>

Narcissus Flower

Narcissus is the botanic name for a genus of mainly hardy, mostly spring-flowering, bulbs in the Amaryllis family native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. There are also several Narcissus species that bloom in the autumn. Daffodil is a common... more >>>

Idesia

Idesia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Salicaceae (formerly placed in the family Flacourtiaceae), comprising the single species Idesia polycarpa. It is native to eastern Asia in China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

It... more >>>

Beaucarnea

Beaucarnea is a genus of four species of flowering plant in the family Ruscaceae, native to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. The genus has been included in Nolina by some botanists and has previously been variously classified in Nolinaceae or... more >>>