Tetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K.Koch
Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice paper plant (通草—tong cao), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax.
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Tetrapanax papyrifer plantTetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer
Tetrapanax papyrifer plantTetrapanax papyrifer plantTetrapanax papyriferOverview
Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice paper plant (通草—tong cao), is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the family Araliaceae, the sole species in the genus Tetrapanax. The specific epithet is frequently misspelled as "papyriferum", "papyriferus", or "papyrifera". It is native to eastern and central China and Taiwan, but widely cultivated in East Asia and in other tropical to mild temperate regions as well.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
The species was first described in the genus Aralia as Aralia papyrifera, and has also been treated in Fatsia as Fatsia papyrifera.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
A second species, Tetrapanax tibetanus, is now regarded as a synonym of Merrilliopanax alpinus.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSucker propagation
**Side suckers** are separated from the mother plant at 4–6 leaves, the cut is treated and the sucker planted out.
Rooting
Roots develop, the young plant stands firm and unfurls its leaves.
Growth & flowering
In season the plant opens **small white flowers in umbels, October–December**, adding colour and nectar for insects.
Maturity & harvest
After a full growing season the plant retreats to its storage organ; **stem pith collected in autumn–winter**.
Uses
- The species was first described in the genus Aralia as Aralia papyrifera, and has also been treated in Fatsia as Fatsia papyrifera.
Habitat & conservation
It is native to eastern and central China and Taiwan, but widely cultivated in East Asia and in other tropical to mild temperate regions as well.
Conservation
Tetrapanax papyrifer has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.
References
- 1Wikipedia – Tetrapanax papyrifer — Wikipedia,
- 2Kew POWO – Tetrapanax papyrifer — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
- 3Wikidata – Q8085880 — Wikidata,