Family: Arecaceae

A small clustering palm.

A crown of palmate, green fronds sits atop a slender, segmented stem. Each frond is profoundly ribbed and divided. Native to Taiwan and China, Raphis excelsa is not known in the wild. Instead, it has become popular for interior landscaping. While slow-growing, it has the superior ability to grow in the shade. Full sun will turn the fronds yellow, even with ample fertilizer and water—plant in a protected area, away from the wind. Grown in the right place, Raphis excelsa is a low maintenance plant. It drops little to no rubbish and won’t grow above 10 feet. Propagate by division, see rarely is set.

The first specimen was imported to Hawaii by Archibald Scott Cleghorn.

Plant Uses:

• Container plant
• Hedge
• Indoor plant
• Ornamental
• Privacy / screening

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (USDA zones 8B-11)
  
• History of repeated introductions outside native range
  
• Host for recognized pests and pathogens (e.g., banana moth)
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions (alkaline, clay, sand, acidic, loam)
  
• Forms dense thickets
  
• Reproduces vegetatively (suckers/division)
  
• Tolerates mutilation (resprouts from base after damage/fire)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of naturalization or weediness
  
• Not known to be invasive
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• No evidence of allelopathic, toxic, or allergic properties
  
• Dioecious (requires male and female plants for seed)
  
• Large fruit with few seeds, not prolifically seeding
  
• Seeds short-lived (no persistent seed bank)