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.

Oemleria cerasiformis

Oemleria cerasiformis, also known as the Osoberry and Indian Plum, is the sole species in genus Oemleria. It is a shrub native to the Pacific coast and ranges of North America, from British Columbia, Canada to Santa Barbara County, California,... more >>>

Neomarica

Neomarica (Walking Iris or Apostle Plant) is a genus of 16 species of plants in family Iridaceae, native to tropical regions of western Africa, and Central and South America, with the highest diversity (12 species) in Brazil.
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Forsythia

Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Oleaceae (olive family). There are about 11 species, mostly native to eastern Asia, but one native to southeastern Europe. The common name is also Forsythia; the genus is named after... more >>>

Wikstroemia

Wikstroemia is a genus of flowering plants, in the family Thymelaeaceae.


Species
Wikstroemia indica is a flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in... more >>>

Inula

Inula is a large genus of about 90 species of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe, Asia and Africa. It has been reported that this genus is paraphyletic, based on chemical data of the phenolic compounds of this... more >>>