Rhapis excelsa Thumb., A. Henry

Common name(s): Rhapis Palm, Broadleaf Lady Palm, Bamboo Palm

Family: Arecaceae Synonym(s): Rhapis flabelliformis L'Her. ex Aiton, Chamaerops excelsa Thunb., Trachycarpus excelsus Thunb., H. Wendl.
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Frond
Frond
Taken by Ken Harrington
Inflorescence
Inflorescence
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_upper
Bark (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Palm / Palm Ally Properties
Origin(s)
China
  • Yunnan: Indigenous
  • Guangxi: Indigenous
  • Guizhou: Indigenous
  • Guangdong: Indigenous
  • Fujian: Indigenous
  • Jiangxi: Indigenous
  • Hunan: Indigenous
  • Zhejiang: Indigenous
Taiwan
  • Taiwan: Indigenous
Plant Type
Clumping, Frond Self Cleaning, Palm, Palm Fan-leaved
Clumping,
Frond Self Cleaning,
Palm,
Palm Fan-leaved
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical, Tropical Monsoon
Oceanic,
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical,
Tropical Monsoon
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Morning, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light, Shade - Medium, Shade - Heavy
Sun - Morning,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Light,
Shade - Medium,
Shade - Heavy
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Landscape, Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical, Rainforest - Monsoonal
Garden,
Landscape,
Rainforest - Sub-tropical,
Rainforest - Tropical,
Rainforest - Monsoonal
Habitat Zone(s)
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Hill Sides, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Understory, Water sides, Well drained
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Hill Sides,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Understory,
Water sides,
Well drained
Mature Height
3-4m
3-4m
Mature Width
750mm-1m, 1-2m, 2-3m
750mm-1m,
1-2m,
2-3m
Growth Rate
Slow
Slow
Plant Shape
Clump - Upright Open
Clump - Upright Open
Clump - Upright Open Clump - Upright Open
Life Span
50-100yrs
50-100yrs
Frond Properties
Frond Colour(s) (front)
Green Dark
Green Dark
Frond Colour(s) (back)
Green Dark
Green Dark
Frond Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Ribbed
Ribbed
Glabrous Glabrous,
Ribbed Ribbed
Glossy , Tough
Glossy,
Tough
Frond Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Frond Length
400-500mm
400-500mm
Frond Aroma
None
None
Frond Shapes
Palmate Divided
Palmate Divided
Palmate Divided Palmate Divided
Frond Arrangement
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate Alternate
Fan Frond Margin
Entire
Entire
Entire Entire
Trunk / Stem Properties
Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)
Brown Light, Green
Brown Light,
Green
Colour(s) (Base)
Brown Light
Brown Light
Texture (Upper)
Smooth
Smooth
Waxy
Waxy
Smooth Smooth,
Waxy Waxy
Ridged
Ridged
Texture (Base)
Bristly / Hispid
Bristly / Hispid
Bristly / Hispid Bristly / Hispid
Fibrous
Fibrous
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Male
Colour(s)
Yellow, Pink
Yellow,
Pink
Flower Shape(s)
Male Staminate Flower
Male Staminate Flower
Globose
Globose
Male Staminate Flower Male Staminate Flower,
Globose Globose
Flower Size(s) Length
1.5-2mm
1.5-2mm
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangements
Axillary, Interfoliar Short
Axillary, Interfoliar Short
Pannicle
Pannicle
Axillary, Interfoliar Short Axillary, Interfoliar Short,
Pannicle Pannicle
Erect
Erect
Pollinator(s)
Insects
Insects
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Gender: Female
Colour(s)
Pink, White
Pink,
White
Flower Shape(s)
Female or Pistillate Flower
Female or Pistillate Flower
Female or Pistillate Flower Female or Pistillate Flower
Flower Size(s) Length
1.5-2mm
1.5-2mm
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangements
Axillary, Interfoliar Short
Axillary, Interfoliar Short
Pannicle
Pannicle
Axillary, Interfoliar Short Axillary, Interfoliar Short,
Pannicle Pannicle
Erect
Erect
Pollinator(s)
Insects
Insects
Male and Female Flowers Borne
On Separate Plant
On Separate Plant
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Bacca
Bacca
Bacca Bacca
Shape(s)
Globose
Globose
Globose Globose
Length
5-10mm
5-10mm
Aroma
None
None
Root Properties
Type
Rhizome Stoloniferous
Rhizome Stoloniferous
Rhizome Stoloniferous Rhizome Stoloniferous
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Moist Moist
Fertile , Shallow , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Shallow,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Waterlogging Class
W0 – Low tolerance
W0 – Low tolerance
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
None
None
Bird Attraction
Habitat
Habitat
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Smog Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Special Purpose(s)
Garden-Container, Foliage-Interesting, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Hedge-informal, Interesting Trunk, Pond Edge, Screen, Shade Tolerant, Suckering
Garden-Container,
Foliage-Interesting,
Garden-Courtyard,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Hedge-informal,
Interesting Trunk,
Pond Edge,
Screen,
Shade Tolerant,
Suckering

General Notes

Assumed to be a native of southern China and Taiwan, however it is not known in the wild.  Growing in multi-stemmed clumps with glossy palmate leaves it adapts well to indoor low light situations. For a palm it is quite cold tolerant but when grown outdoors it does need to be in a shaded, moist, sheltered position. As an indoor palm it has one of the top removal rates of toxins from the air.                                                        The frond is usually divided into 5-10 narrow oblong leaves (pinnae).

It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit

There are several varieties, R. excelsa 'Zuikonishiki' small growing, yellowish-white variegated markings on leaves.                                                                                                 R. excelsa 'Koban' dark green leaves                                                                                                                                                                                   R. excelsa 'Gyokuhu' a dwarf variety 1.2 m after 30-40 years                                                                                                                                            R. excelsa 'Kodaruma' miniature form, small leaves, small canes, dense clump                                                                                                               R. excelsa 'Tenzan' long curving leaves, elegant slender form                                                                                                                                           R. excelsa 'Daruma' medium growth rate, tall upright shape                                                                                                                                             R. excelsa ' Zuiko-Lutino' creamy white leaves with green stripes                                                                                                                                    R. excelsa 'Chiyodazuru' pin-striped variegation                                                                                                                                                               R. excelsa 'Kotobuki' tall, elegant form, white stripes on leaves