Lady Palm

Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) Henry

RAY-puss ex-SELL-sah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek, rhapis, needle. Excelsa means high or lofty (JON).

Natural range: Not known from the wild but presumably China and Taiwan (RI2)

Probably native to dry evergreen forests on limestone hills (RI2)

Recognition: Small, shade-loving, clumping, palmate-leaved palm. The leaf segments are deeply separated, non-drooping, and squared off at the tips. The stems are covered with dark leaf fibers.

Landscape uses: A favorite small, slow-growing, densely clumping palm often used in small shaded places or to fill shaded areas. It spreads rhizomatously. Not attractive in full sun. Often used in containers and indoors. Rhapis subtilis, Thai Lady Palm or Dwarf Lady Palm,  is a smaller species.  There are numerous cultivars, some of them especially compact, and some variegated. For miniature cultivars of R. excelsa visit: http://www.rhapisgardens.com/rhapis-excelsa/.  ELL presents photos of several cultivars and gives 6-10 weeks for germination.