Tetrapanax papyrifer rex

Name

Tetrapanax papyrifer Rex

Common name

Taiwan rice paper plant

What you get

You will receive a 5ltr pot

About

Tetrapanax Rex is highly ornamental and achitectural in an exotic garden - if you think Fatsia on steroids you will be getting close. The T-Rex plant has huge, light green leaves that can grow upto 1.5m across and are deeply lobed and matt in texture. The leaves are held on branching woody stems that if split show the pulpy white centre that can be used to make rice paper. We have had a T-Rex survive down to -18, it was taken to the ground but soon started to shoot again. It can sucker and produce more plants, so watch where you place it. This is a must have plant for any exotic garden, right up there with palms such as Trachycarpus and bananas such as Musa basjoo.

Origin

Taiwan

Planting and care

Best planted in full sun and in rich soil. Mulch in winter, if it is a very cold winter you can wrap it with fleece.