Rhapis excelsa

Rhapis excelsa
Tampa, Fl
Scientific Classification
Genus: Rhapis Species: excelsa
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Leaf type: palmate Height: 12 ft. Trunk diameter: 1 in.
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
lady palm, broadleaf lady palm, bamboo palm

Habitat and Distribution

Native to southern China and Taiwan, these plants are not found in the wild; all known plants come from cultivated groups. They were first collected by the Japanese for Tokugawa shogunate palaces, then Rhapis popularity spread to Europe, and later to America where its low light and humidity requirements make it a common feature in malls and offices.

Description

R. excelsa grows up to 4 m in height and 30 mm in diameter in multi-stemmed clumps with glossy, palmate leaves divided into broad, ribbed segments. Leaf segments are single or few in young plants and increase to a dozen or more in mature plants; the segments are divided to the petiole, or nearly so. Leaf-ends are saw-toothed unlike most other palms, occurring on slender petioles ranging from 20 to 60 cm in length. New foliage emerges from a fibrous sheath which remains attached to the base. As the plants age, the sheaths fall, revealing the bamboo-like trunks. This usually dioecious palm species produces a small inflorescence at the top of the plant with spirally-arranged, fleshy flowers containing three petals fused at the base. Ripe fruit are fleshy and white, though R. excelsa more readily propagates via underground rhizome offshoots.

Curiosities

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  Driveway damage

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  Foliage

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  Trunks

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  Immature inflorescence

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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