Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Clustered Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Plant Shape | Rounded |
| Maximum Height | 1.8 m to 2.4 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | China |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | The leaves are an almost full circle palmate. Leaflets are long and thin with pointed tip. The leaf fan has an interesting characteristic that the center and the two outer leaflets are wider than the others. |
|---|---|
| Stems | Grow up to about 2m tall with multiple stems to 10mm in diameter. The slender stems are ringed and covered with fine light brown fibres. |
| Flowers | Inflorescent is inter-foliar(among the leaves) and enclosed in tubular bracts, that are multiple branched. |
| Fruit | The fruits are rounded to oval. White. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Is very similar to Rhapis excelsa. Compare to R. excelsa, R. multifia has more slender pointed leaflets and has more 'naked' stems than the other forms of Rhapis. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Hedge / Screening, Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1386 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5131 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
