The genus Tetrapanax has just one species ( T. papyrifer ), a suckering, evergreen shrub that can be grown as a small tree. It is native to woodland in southern China and Taiwan and produces large, lobed leaves and umbels of white flowers in panicle-like inflorescences that attract bees. Flowers are followed by clusters of black fruit. Grow in a sheltered border where hardy, or against a warm wall, in a container, or in a cool greenhouse where not hardy.