Rhapis excelsa

[KDubU]

Was at a nursery today with a large selection of palms for NE FL and saw this labeled as a Lady Palm but it looks very different than what I know one to be. The place did have not what I am used to seeing so curious whether this one is labeled wrong? I know there is R. humilis but thought was just a shorter version???

Also saw some huge Arenga engleri and did not think they got this large. This one was easily 20’.

 

 

[Merlyn]

@KDubU it could be Humilis or Multifida.  They are similar but don't have the "torn tips" of Excelsa, and are generally thinner leaflets.  Here's a picture of Humilis from Leu Gardens last spring:

The one in my photo is about 10-12' tall.  I would guess your photos are Humilis, based on the description off of Palmpedia:

Humilis or Multifida

7-20 leaflets; if 14-23 leaflets -> multifida

(1) blades not split 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 -> humilis

[Brucer]

They look like multifida to me, not tall enough and the trunks not thick enough to be humilis in my opinion.

But they are lovely, and depending on the price, would be fantastic in the ground.

 

 

Edited January 8, 2022 by Brucer

[KDubU]

Thanks for this. After checking images of multifida, I agree that is what it is. Some call it “Finger Palm@? I like them and will check on whether they can make it in 9a. 

[Merlyn]

@KDubU I think Kinzyjr's spreadsheet has some data on these.  Humilis is supposed to be hardy to 22F or so, depending on how you interpret the reports.  There is one report of Humilis burned to the ground at 19F, and one "undefined" but survived at 19F.  Multifida took minor damage at 23F in Louisiana, no damage at 21F in Ocala, and no damage in Gainesville at 14F with 50% canopy, but and was burned to the ground at 14F in MS.  So it seems that maybe Multifida is a bit hardier than Humilis, and both are not quite as hardy as Excelsa.  I'd say go for it in a zone 9a, especially if you have a bit of canopy!

Out of curiosity, what do they want for the pots?  I am very unlikely to spend $60 in gas to go buy one...but you never know! 

[oasis371]

I grow all three species in containers (R. excelsa, R. mulitifida, R. humilis).  BTW, all three also make great interior palms, many palms do not.  Excelsa seems the most robust and DENSE, but I also appreciate the airiness of the other two species. Now you got me curious as to how to distinguish the humilis from the multifida. Mulitfida may be the least cold hardy of the three, but I think it would still work in your zone.

Edited January 9, 2022 by oasis371

[KDubU]

@Merlyn I forgot to ask price when I was there and the label was badly faded due to water. Planning to be back there next Saturday to pickup a few plus a nice big palm for the backyard. Should be fun moving the 500lb monster. I’ll let you know then.

Also thanks for the info on hardiness, looks like they will work here fine.

Edited January 9, 2022 by KDubU

[Scott W]

On 1/7/2022 at 4:25 PM, KDubU said:

Was at a nursery today with a large selection of palms for NE FL 

 

Curious what nursery Kyle?

[KDubU]

28 minutes ago, Scott W said:

Curious what nursery Kyle?

Scott, it’s Unique Plants and Palms on Phillips Highway. 

[Scott W]

1 hour ago, KDubU said:

Scott, it’s Unique Plants and Palms on Phillips Highway. 

Thanks.  I was on their website yesterday and may pay them a visit.  Not that I need anymore palms...

[Merlyn]

4 hours ago, KDubU said:

@Merlyn I forgot to ask price when I was there and the label was badly faded due to water. Planning to be back there next Saturday to pickup a few plus a nice big palm for the backyard. Should be fun moving the 500lb monster. I’ll let you know then.

Also thanks for the info on hardiness, looks like they will work here fine.

Let me know if you go back!  It's only about 100 miles from me, if their pricing is good I might want a pot for the West side in a shady area.  I bought two clumps of Humilis (possibly Multifida) from @palmsOrl last summer, and grabbed two small single-stem pots of Humilis at the last CFPACS meeting.  But I'm starting to get some more shady areas and am thinking about future understory plantings.

BTW - that Arenga Engleri is awesome!  There's one at Leu Gardens almost that big, but most of them I've seen are 10-15' max.

[TheMadScientist]

Saw this topic and wanted to show off what I call Rhapis excelsa without DOOM that I purchased in July 2021.  I would concur with @Merlyn, @Brucer.  The dark green, leaf shape, symmetry and 22 deg. F (which I should never see) brings new enjoyment to my container ranch.

[Scott W]

I planted this Rhapis here about five years ago from a small 3 gallon.  I've taken numerous divisions from it and transplanted elsewhere in the yard as well as potted up.  Sadly the whole clump will be dug and moved as we now have other plans for this area.  It does get the full brunt of midday Florida sun from noon until sunset and doesn't seem to mind.

 

 

[Brucer]

I have some humilis in the ground is Sydney,  a bit sun beaten, but they are about 16 feet tall.  They tower above the house.

[KDubU]

21 hours ago, Merlyn said:

Let me know if you go back!  It's only about 100 miles from me, if their pricing is good I might want a pot for the West side in a shady area.  I bought two clumps of Humilis (possibly Multifida) from @palmsOrl last summer, and grabbed two small single-stem pots of Humilis at the last CFPACS meeting.  But I'm starting to get some more shady areas and am thinking about future understory plantings.

BTW - that Arenga Engleri is awesome!  There's one at Leu Gardens almost that big, but most of them I've seen are 10-15' max.

@Merlyn will do. Plan is to try and get this this Saturday early morning. Let me know how I can help.

[KDubU]

Went down and picked up a couple R. multifida at over 50% off. The girl told me most people don’t know what they are and usually don’t see them as they are back under the larger palm canopy.

And also picked up a Beccariophoenix alfredii and it is a bear to move by hand. 
 

 

[Merlyn]

@KDubU nice grab!  How much were the Multifida?

[KDubU]

12 hours ago, Merlyn said:

@KDubU nice grab!  How much were the Multifida?

$100 down from $250. They have a few left but one has to hunt a bit for them.

They had a beauty of a Ravenea rivularis tucked away in shade as well which is odd as I thought they liked sun.

 

 

[Merlyn]

@KDubU that's a great price for a pot that size!  Those do look more like Multifida, with the large number of segments.