Rhapis ID

[Stevetoad]

I got this rhapis about 6 years ago not knowing what kind it was. It has stayed very small but has sent out quite a few suckers. The leaves are mostly a solid undivided leaf but also has some bifid and trifid (not sure if that’s a term or not) leaves. I have 3 of these in different areas of my yard and they all look the same. Shears for scale. Any info would be great. Thank you 

[quaman58]

Steve, 

Based on when you got it, my guess would be Rhapis laosensis (spelling?).  However I’m no expert on these, having given away most of mine to unsuspecting palm nerds.

Bret

[Stevetoad]

43 minutes ago, quaman58 said:

Steve, 

Based on when you got it, my guess would be Rhapis laosensis (spelling?).  However I’m no expert on these, having given away most of mine to unsuspecting palm nerds.

Bret

Never heard of this one before. I got it from Gary wood when he was still in fallbrook.  I looked it up and it does look like the one. This nerd still has  the r excelsa that you dug out. 

[quaman58]

Of course I meant “nerd” in the most complimentary way. Unlike the way my wife uses the term on me. 

[Stevetoad]

3 minutes ago, quaman58 said:

Of course I meant “nerd” in the most complimentary way. Unlike the way my wife uses the term on me. 

Of course. It’s a term of endearment 

[Ryan - Tampa]

Hey Steve, I would say you have Rhapis Subtilis in it's small leaf form. I have one myself. I used to think it was Laosensis but if you check rarepalmseeds.com and search for rhapis subtilis, you'll see they reference differing forms.

"The leaf shapes of this bushy dwarf palm are enormously variable, ranging from a simple recurved blade to a small palmate leaf with more than 10 segments. The stems are densely clustered, thin, canelike and rarely more than 1.5 m (5 ft.) tall. Native to forests in the southeast of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and on Sumatra, the Thai Lady Palm makes a great ornamental for the tropics. I can also be kept indoors successfully, but generally prefers a more humid environment."

I actually have one large ~26" cane I separated this year and three smaller ~6" canes. My plant flowers profusely, hoping that I can get a mate and get some seed in the future. Can anyone suggest how to discern by the inflorescence which sex it is? 

I also acquired supposed Subtilis seeds from Australia which are at 2 years and Humilis which are at 2.5 years. For any collectors out there, I will be looking for buyers of 2 Rhapis "Alicia" (Laosensis x Humilis) by Lou Hopper from CA this coming spring 2020, they're at 12" tall now and absolutely stunning dark green foliage. 

(www.rarepalmseeds.com)

Rhapis Subtilis above (notice the consistent curve)

Rhapis Cochinchinesis below (notice the straight portions of the leaf segment before the curve)

Hope that helped!