Rhapis is a genus of approximately 10 species of small palms in the family Arecaceae (order Arecales), native to southeastern Asia — ranging from southern Japan and southern China southward to Sumatra. They are commonly called lady palms.
As fan palms belonging to subfamily Coryphoideae, Rhapis species are recognised by their slender, cane-like stems that typically grow to 3–4 metres tall. The stems branch at the base, producing dense clumps rather than single-trunk specimens. The leaves are palmate, with a smooth bare petiole that terminates in a rounded fan of several narrow leaflets. Plants are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate individuals.
The genus is best known in cultivation through Rhapis excelsa (lady palm or broadleaf lady palm), which is among the most widely grown indoor palms in the world and was included in NASA's Clean Air Study as an effective plant for filtering airborne toxins. Several other species are also cultivated as ornamentals and tolerate subtropical to warm temperate conditions outdoors.
Distribution
Rhapis palms are native to southeastern Asia, with the genus's range extending from southern Japan and southern China in the north to Sumatra in the south. They grow across a broad arc that includes China, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and surrounding regions.
Cultivation
Several Rhapis species are grown as ornamental plants, with Rhapis excelsa being the most widely cultivated. The genus is notably tolerant of low light and indoor conditions, making it a popular houseplant. Rhapis excelsa and some relatives can be grown outdoors in subtropical or warm temperate climates. NASA's Clean Air Study identified Rhapis excelsa as one of the more effective plants for removing indoor air pollutants.
