Rhapis excelsa - Lady palm
Family Arecaceae
Description:
About twelve species of Rhapis are native to Asia. All are relatively small, clustering palms with fan-shaped leaves. The lady palm spreads slowly by rhizomes, developing into a dense bamboo-like clump. It grows best in a shady site. Because of its shade tolerance, it is used as a house plant.
Location:
See this plant in the Founders Plaza on the north side of building 2.
Size:
A large, shrubby clump of unbranched stems to about eight to ten feet tall.
Care Instructions:
Light: part shade to shade
Water: drought tolerant when established, responds well to irrigation
Soil: adaptable, no special requirements
Lady palm is near its northern limit in northeast Florida. Various sources report its cold hardiness at the low to mid-20's F. This reflects stem cold hardiness. The underground stems can survive and resprout after temperatures in the teens.