Fatsia
(derived from the Japanese name of one of the species). ORD. Araliaceae A genus of half-hardy shrubs or small trees, allied to Aralia (which see for culture). All the species are described below.
F. horrida (horrid). fl. in terminal panicles. l. palmately lobed, cordate, petiolate, prickly. Stems thick, armed with yellow spines. h. 6ft. to 12ft. North - west America, 129. Hardy. SYN. Panax horridum. (H. F. B. A. 98.) F. japonica (Japanese).* l. large, leathery, digitate, deep shining green. Stem straight, forming an umbrella-like head. H. 3ft. to 5ft. Japan. A very fine half-hardy evergreen shrub for sub-tropical gardening. It is easily raised from seed, which should be sown in gentle heat; and portions of the stem, treated as cuttings, root freely. SYN. Aralia japonica and a. Sieboldii. F. j. variegata (variegated).* l. blotched and margined with white. Japan. Half-hardy.
F. j. v. aurea (golden - variegated).* somewhat larger and stronger than the foregoing, and with a rich yellow variegation. Distinct and fine. Japan. F. papyrifera (rice-paper-tree).* fl. greenish, in drooping panicles, which are 2ft. to 3ft. long. l. from 8in. to 12in. long, five or seven-lobed, clothed (as are also the stems) with a kind of down, but ultimately glabrous. Stem branching above. h. 6ft. to 8ft. Formosa, 1852. A noble half-hardy plant, which must be protected from all winds; very useful for sub-tropical gardening. SNY. Aralia papyrifera.(B. M. 4897.)