Greek tetra — four, panax; referring to the 4-petalled flowers.

Evergreen shrubs or small trees with rhizomatous stems, all young parts covered with an irritant fluff. Leaves large, palmately lobed, hairy, at least below. Flower clusters terminal and woolly with prominent bracts. Flowers with petals 4 or 5, edge to edge in bud. Stamens as many as petals. Ovary 2-chambered. Fruit small.

Grown for the bold foliage but care is needed to avoid the irritating hairs on leaves, stems and new growth.

Cuttings and root cuttings.

Source of paper.

Plant stoloniferous; white hair on new growth, flower clusters and lower leaf surfaces; large, dull, palmately divided leaves.

1 species from E Asia.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Araliaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.