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Fatsia (from a Japanese name). Araliaceae. Halfhardy shrubs or small trees, used for subtropical foliage effects in the North, and planted permanently far South.
Fatsia has 2 species, belonging to the Panax series, in which the petals are valvate, while in the Aralia series they are more or less overlapping, but the sides affixed at the base. Within the Panax series, Polyscias has the pedicel articulated under the fl., while in Fatsia and Acanthopanax the pedicel is continuous with the fl. Fatsia is distinguished from the hardier and lessfamiliar but worthy Acanthopanax by the greater length and distinctness of the styles. This genus is doubly interesting as producing the famous rice paper of the Chinese, and two rivals of the castor-oil plant in bold subtropical effects, made by large lvs., the lobes of which spread out like fingers.
While fatsias require more care in the North than the hardy aralias, their massive subtropical appearance is highly distinct. A perfect specimen is figured in Gardening 5:133, where W.R. Smith says of F. papyrifera: "This plant produces the beautiful substance known as rice paper; it grows to 10 ft. high, with a st. 4 in. diam., full of white pith like the elder; in a full-grown specimen the pith is about 1 in. diam. It is divided into pieces 3 in. long, and by the aid of a sharp instrument is unrolled, forming the thin, narrow sheets known as rice paper, greatly used by the Chinese for drawing figures of plants and animals, and also for making artificial fls. Until about 1850 the source of this substance was unknown to scientists. The Chinese, on inquiry, gave very fanciful figures and descriptions of it. ... It is destined to be a people's plant, as 1/2in. of the root will grow and form a good plant the first season. It has survived most winters for the past 5 years in Washington, D. C."
As associates in groups of bold-habited plants, F. W. Burbidge suggests Polygonum sachalinense, Chamaerops Fortunei and Rodgersia podophylla. For contrast with feathery and cut-leaved foliage, he suggests bamboos, aucubas, cut-leaved maples and various ivies. Fatsia may be grown in the temperate house in the North, outdoors southward. It is easily grown and propagated. The species are unarmed; the very spiny plant sometimes referred to this genus as F. horrida, is treated under Echinopanax, which see. Siebert and Voss declare that most of the plants sold as Fatsia japonica are Aralia spinosa. These plants like shade. Full sunlight for an hour or two in early morning is enough. They should have a shelter-spot, where the wind will not whip their foliage.
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