Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Apiales Nakai
Family
Araliaceae
Genus
Tetrapanax (K.Koch) K.Koch
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Tetrapanax papyrifer (Hook.) K.Koch, Wochenschr. Gärtnerei Pflanzenk. 2: 371 (1859) – as papyriferum
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Aralia papyrifera Hook. (1852)
Vernacular Name(s):
Rice-paper plant
 Description

Shrub to small tree up to 3–(8) m high. Stems densely clothed in stellate hairs, becoming glabrous at least in patches when mature; lf scars prominent. Lvs densely clothed in stellate hairs below, moderately to densely clothed in stellate hairs above when young but usually becoming ± glabrous above except on veins when mature, broadly ovate to suborbicular, cordate, (3)–5–12- palmately-lobed to ⅓-⅔ of radius, c. 10–30 cm long; lobes acute to acuminate, entire to coarsely serrate; petioles glabrous when mature, 10–50 cm long; stipules partly adnate to petiole, lanceolate, 2–12 cm long. Infl. a compound terminal raceme of numerous-flowered, globose umbels, densely clothed in stellate hairs; petals white, c. 2 mm long. Fr. not seen.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Frodin, D.G.; Govaerts, R. 2003: World checklist and bibliography of Araliaceae. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Koch, K.H.E.L. 1859: Wochenschrift für Gärtnerei und Pflanzenkunde 2: 371.