Lady Palm – Rhapis excelsa (R. humilis)

Common Name: Lady Palm, Bamboo Palm (Dwarf or Slender Lady Palm)

Botanical Name: Rhapis excelsa (R. humilis), RAY-pis

Decorative Life: Years.

Availability: Year Round

Other than having a smaller growth habit, R. humilis also grows better in cooler climates than R. execelsa.

• Member of the Palmae (palm family).
• Originally from China, Japan.
• Relatives include many palms like date, coconut and oil.

• Classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined.
• Fronds (fern leaves) are fan-like, forming clumps.
• Stems are covered with fibrous leaf sheaths.

Chill sensitive, store above 55F.

• The specific epithet name “excelsa” means tall.
• Rhapis: Greek for needle but the application of this meaning to this species is not obvious other than in possible reference to the narrow leaf segments.
• Members of this family provide the world with many products including food (coconut and oil), ornamentals, wax, fibers and beverages.
• Will generally grow well in light levels bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort.