What does it look like?
Rice paper plant is an evergreen, rounded shrub or small tree that grows up to eight metres tall. Young stems are densely hairy, becoming mostly hairless with prominent leaf scars as they age.
Leaves are large and rounded heart‑shaped, with toothed margins and 3–12 deep lobes, indented to about one‑third to two‑thirds of the leaf radius. They are densely hairy on both surfaces when young, becoming mostly hairless on the upper surface as they mature. Leaves are held on long stalks measuring 10–50 cm.
Tiny white flowers appear in autumn, forming white, woolly, ball‑like clusters on large, branched stems that extend beyond the foliage. These are followed by clusters of small, spherical black berries about three mm in diameter.
The plant spreads by suckers that can grow up to two metres.
Why is it a problem?
This plant grows quickly and can tolerate partial shade. It spreads by sending up suckers, forming dense thickets that can shade out native plants. Contact with the leaves may cause a skin rash.
It’s most likely to invade disturbed forest and shrubland, forest edges, stream banks, as well as urban areas such as roadsides and waste places.
Control methods
Physical control
- Dig out isolated plants or small patches and remove root system when soil soft.
- Monitor the site and treat any regrowth.
- Plant a cover of native trees or shrubs to produce shade.
More information
Similar to Fatsia japonica – Japanese aralia
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