蓪 (tōng) - Paperplant — refers to Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice-paper

蓪Tone 1

tōng ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

婷婉

蓪 · tōng

Paperplant — refers to Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice-paper plant, from whose pith Chinese rice paper is made.

Paperplant — refers to Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice-paper

Usage highlights

Paperplant pithRice paper plantPaperplant paperPaperplant stemPaperplant crafts

Synonyms

  • 通草— Rice-paper plant (alternative name)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The pith of the paperplant is used to make rice paper (蓪草纸).
  • Traditional Chinese painting often uses paperplant paper (蓪纸).
  • The paperplant is native to southern China and Taiwan (蓪草).

Collocations

  • Paperplant pith(蓪草髓)
  • Rice paper plant(蓪草)
  • Paperplant paper(蓪纸)
  • Paperplant stem(蓪茎)
  • Paperplant crafts(蓪草工艺)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The paperplant (Tetrapanax papyrifer) has been used for centuries in China to make rice paper for painting and calligraphy.
  • Rice paper made from paperplant pith is known for its unique texture and absorbency, prized by traditional artists.
  • The character 蓪 specifically refers to this plant and its products, representing a specialized material in Chinese artisanal history.

FAQ