Chandigarh Forests
Department of Forest & Wildlife
UT Administration
Chandigarh
Department of Forest & Wildlife
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Division
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Angiosperms |
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Class
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Dicotledons |
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Subclass |
Polypetalae |
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Series |
Calyciflorae |
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Order |
Umbellales |
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Family
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Araliaceae |
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Genus
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Teterapanax |
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Species
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papyriferum |
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Etymology:
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In Greek Tetra means four and panax, panacea; referring to the four-merous flowers and its resemblance to the genus Panax, a monotypic genus. |
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Botanical name:
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Teterapanax papyriferum (Hook.) Koch. (Fatsia papyrifera Benth. ex Hook.f.) |
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Local/Trade Names: |
Chinese Rice Paper Plant |
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Conservation status: |
Naturalized in Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. |
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Digonestic features: |
Young leaves, petiole and stem with pale-brown tomentum. |
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Description: |
A large arborescent herb, upto 4 m high. Stem cylindrical, sometimes slightly angular. Young leaves, petiole and stem with pale-brown or brownish tomentum. Leaves palmate, lobed with main nerves arising from the base which is more or less cordate. Flowers cream, usually pentamerous, umbellate, rarely racemose or capitate. |
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Phenology: |
Fls. & Frts.: In Winter. |
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Distribution: |
Indigenous to China and Japan. Escaped from cultivation. |
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Where to see it: |
Gate No.2 side. |
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Uses: |
Chinese rice paper is manufactured fom the thin slices of pith of this plant. It is used principally for manufacturing artificial flowers as it is easy to work, receives colours readily and the finished product has a natural appearance; paper is also used in the preparation of pictures for postcards, calendars, ornamental fans and menus, and as lens-paper. Scrapes and trimmings of the pith are used for packing glassware and for stuffing; their decoction used as a diuretic. |
