Tetrapanax papyrifer 'Rex'
Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ is from the Araliaceae family of plants. It is a suckering large shrub or a small tree. In a frost-free climate, it is an evergreen. In a hard frost, the plant dies down to the ground and then reshoots again.
It is native to Taiwan. They also call it the Rice-Paper Plant or Chinese Rice-Paper Plant ‘Rex’, in China it is called 通草 Tong Cao. Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ grows to about 7m or 24ft tall. It is used in Chinese medicine, they also use the stems to make a paper called rice paper.
Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ has large deeply lobed leaves sometimes as large as 1m or 3ft. The leaves grow on 60cm or 2ft long petioles. It produces cream-colored flowers in autumn. Black fruits follow the flowers.
How to grow Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’:
Grow Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ in the sun or partial shade. Plant it in well-drained soil. Protect it from cold wind. Propagate by seed or through suckers. Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ is generally disease-free or pest-free.
Hello Dino. I am interested in buying one of the Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’ plants. Do you sell them?
Hi Vivian, no I don’t sell plants. I write descriptions and tips on how to grow them. I am sure you should be able to find it at a local nursery or online.