Rhapis humilis
Rhapis (RAH-pis) humilis (hoo-MIHL-iss) | |||||||
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Xishuangbanna, China. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb. | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, and Java. South China, Sichuan; South Japan, South Kyushu Island. Habitat. Forest, alt. 100–1000 m. Lowland dry forests on slopes; below 1000 m. Guangxi, Guizhou.Description
Rhapis humilis, or Slender Lady Palm, is native to China. Rhapis palms have been cultivated for centuries and are very easy to grow. They form bamboo-like clumps and trunks are covered with a net of dark, fibrous leaf sheaths. The fan-like leaves are dark green. Even though Rhapis palms will reach 18 feet (nearly 6 meters) in nature, their size is easily controlled by pot size. Ours in the greenhouse is in a 10-gallon (44 liter) pot and is only 12 feet (nearly 4 meters) tall by 4 foot (1.2 meters) wide. They are very slow growers, which make them well suited for the home. (plantoftheweek.org) Editing by edric.
Stems to 6 m tall, with sheaths 18–40 mm in diam., without 15–28 mm in diam. Leaf sheath closely sheathing the stem, fibers narrow, outer and inner fibers of similar thickness, producing a squared mesh, ligule remaining intact at maturity; petiole to 4 mm wide, sometimes minutely scabrid; blade with semi-circular to lunulate outline, with a conspicuous palman, segments 7–20, folds 16–36, to 440 mm long, sides slightly curved, apices oblique with irregular secondary splitting, primary splits to within 19-105 mm of the blade base, with tomentum at the base, brown papillae along the ribs, mostly adaxially, ribs scabrid, thick in texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces similar in colour. Inflorescence, male and female similar in appearance, branching to 3 orders; prophyll tubular, over lapping the base of the first rachis bract, medium thickness, pale brown with areas of greenish brown, mostly glabrous with patches of tomentum on the outer surface edges; rachis bracts 3(–4), sometimes with a distal incomplete rachis bract, similar in appearance to the prophyll, overlapping the base of the next bract; rachis overall length to 410 mm, to 10 mm in diam., rachillae 8–165 mm long, slender 0.2–1.2 mm in diam., dark brown with rusty tomentum. Flowers 1.0–3.5 mm apart, large. Male flowers sometimes paired, long, obtriangular to 6.6 × 2.8 mm; calyx to 1.8 mm, minutely papillate usually with tomentum on the apices of the lobes, lobes shallow to 0.5 mm with regular margins; corolla narrowing gradually into a receptacular-stalk to 1.9 mm; filaments, shorter row to 3.2 mm, longer to 3.8 mm, to 0.4 mm in diam. Female flowers to 4.4 × 2.5 mm; calyx to 2.3 mm, tomentose, lobes to 1 mm with regular margin and acute apices; corolla clavate, distinctly narrowed to 1.5 mm in diam., with a receptacular-stalk to 2.5 mm; staminodes present. Fruit unavailable. (L. Hastings. 2003)/Palmweb.
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In his revision of Rhapis, Beccari (1931) based his description of the flowers of this species on an old collection (s.n. 1884) taken from a clump at Kew; thus he must have considered it to be typical R. humilis. This clump is still extant at Kew (accession no 1973–12600). Rhapis humilis can be distinguished from R. excelsa by the leaf sheaths with intact ligule and neat fibers, closely sheathing the stem; blade semi- circular in outline, segments tapering at the apex with less regular secondary splitting, palman more conspicuous; inflorescence with rachis bracts usually glabrous and rachis with tomentum; calyx usually with tomentum and stamens with more slender filaments. Four rachis bracts were recorded in one specimen. Mt Omei is a Buddhist retreat, and so the specimens from this locality may have been cultivated. (L. Hastings. 2003)/Palmweb. Stems clustered, rhizomatous, forming large, loose colonies, to 6 m tall, to 3 cm in diam., covered with persistent, fibrous leaf sheaths. Leaf sheaths with narrow, brown fibers producing a square mesh; ligules persistent; blades not split to base, divided into 7-20 segments, these with curved sides and ± pointed apices, to 45 × 2 cm, outermost narrowest. Inflorescences borne among leaves, branched to 3 orders; bracts tubular, sheathing; rachis to 40 cm; rachillae to 17 cm, brown tomentose; male flowers to 7 mm; sepals united into a tubular, 3-lobed calyx; petals united into a tubular corolla with a 3-lobed, valvate apex; stamens 6, borne in 2 series; filaments not keeled adaxially; female flowers similar to but shorter than male. Fruits ovoid, to 0.7 cm in diam. Seeds ovoid, to 4.5 mm. 矮棕竹 ai zong zhu. |
Culture
This species is widely planted as an ornamental and has been introduced in Indonesia (Java) and Japan. One of us (Henderson) suggests that Rhapis humilis might prove to be just a cultivar of R. excelsa. (efloras.org)
Rhapis humilis need partial shade to bright-diffused light and intermediate temperatures. We grow ours under 52% shade all year long. If grown in too much sun, the leaves tend to turn yellow and are sometimes off green. We use a soil mix consisting of 2 parts peat moss to 2 parts loam to 1 part sand or perlite. The plants are allowed to dry slightly in between waterings. Plants are fertilized only once during the growing season using a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. During the winter months, the temperature are dropped to 50° F (10° C) and are grown on the dry side. Since they are slow growing, container plants should be divided every 3-5 years or they will break ceramic or clay pots with their spreading root system. (plantoftheweek.org)
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This plant is adaptable to most well drained soil types. It does not like rich soils so provide only light feedings twice a year in spring and summer. Light: Plant in shady or partly shady sites for best leaf color. It will survive in bright conditions but will look yellowish and faded. Moisture: Provide moisture when dry. Does not like soggy soils. Slender lady palm can survive short periods of drought. Hardiness: USDA Zones 9a. Can survive freezing temperatures into the low twenties. It may be damaged but will recover. (floridata.com) Propagation: conventionally; no female plants or seeds are produced in western cultivation, but are extant in China; Rhapis humilis are propagated by division in spring. R. humilis is similar to R. excelsa but canes-are thinner, although not as slender as R. subtilis. Canes of R. humilis are also taller than canes of other Rhapis species, being up to 6 metres tall with each covered with fine closely clasping fibres. Leaves are of similar size to R. excelsa but are divided into more segments, up to twelve leaflets per leaf. Leaves are dull dark green, thin in section and have pointed tips that gently droop, imparting a very graceful look to this palm. All known cultivated plants are males, hence all plants have come from vegetative offset propagation. Rhapis humilis requires similar culture to Rhapis excelsa, however it resents hot weather, especially if its also dry, and, in summer, regular misting of the foliage is beneficial to maintain healthy growth and appearance. Rhapis humilis also is quite fussy about the quality of water with hard water quickly causing leaf tip browning. This is a very promising plant for temperate areas. (Palms & Cycads) |
Comments and Curiosities
humilis or multifida
7-20 leaflets; if 14-23 leaflets > multifida
(1) blades not spilt to the base
(2) pointed apices of leaflets
(3) ligules persistent; if only sometimes persistent > multifida
(4) stem to 2.5 cm diameter, if to 3 cm only humilis
Notations by Research Work Editor palMeir.
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Phenology: Blooming time; In late winter, inconspicuous, very small white flowers appear. Usage: Although this palm is rather slow growing, it can be used to create attractively dense screens and hedges. Slender lady palm is also exceptional as an accent or specimen plant, expecially when groomed. Since dead leaves often persist on the stems, trim them off so that the graceful clump of slender stems can be enjoyed. Thin out stems to reinforce a far east look. This little palm can handle interior environments so gardeners in the north should consider growing potted specimens to brighten their homes (move them to the patio for summer vacation). Features: This is a beautiful palm and has been prized by palm fanciers for centuries. The Japanese are especially fond of the slender lady palm and other species of Rhapis. They have developed dozens of dwarf and variegated selection several Rhapis species. Slender lady palms tend to be expensive (if you can find them at all). (floridata.com) "This is the Rhapis species grown in all the local botanical gardens as showpieces are against architecture as it is very sun tolerant and elegant. Unlike the more common Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) this one doesn't yellow in full sun. It also differs in that it grows much taller, has more finely split leaves and the leaflets end in points rather than premorse ('cut' as though with pinking shears). Also it is one of the few palms that only have males- no females are known. So this one can only be propagated by division. All other species of Rhapis can also be propogated from seed germination, though usually most are similarly divided. It is a suckering palm that spreads slowly, usually 6"-12" at the most from the original stem, until a tall, clumping palm is created. This species is often crossed with other Rhapis (still makes pollen) for a variety of unusual and attractive looks. Rhapis humilis is the second most commonly grown species of Rhapis and is known as the Slender Lady Palm thanks to its more slender leaflets. This species also can be identified by its having ten or more pointed drooping leaflets per leaf and tall, less fiber-covered stems reaching up to 18 feet in some old palms. Grown in the landscape, these spread a bit more slowly than Rhapis excelsas do, and seem to stop at about 8 feet in diameter. Few consider this an invasive species. Probably of all the Rhapis, this one tolerates sun the best, but still prefers some shade protection in hot, inland climates. I have never seen this grown as an indoor palm but reportedly it does very well as one; only a high ceiling is needed. As mentioned above, this plant only exists as a male, making many wonder if this isn't just a form of Rhapis excelsa. The ultimate origin of this species is unknown and there are no known ‘native' populations in the wild." (Geoff Stein) |
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://www.rhapisgardens.com/rhapis-palms/
- http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=24818&hl=%2Brhapis+%2Bhumilis
References
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.
Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.