The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for January 2022 is the “Rhapis”, scientifically known as Rhapis excelsa (Thunb.) Henry. It came from the family Arecaceae and is native to Southern China and Taiwan. It is also known as the Lady Palm or the Bamboo Palm.
Describing the Rhapis morphology, it has segmented fan leaves that are glossy and evergreen with saw-toothed tips. Its trunk resembles bamboo-like stems due to the leaf scars formed from fallen old leaves. The trunk is covered with a coarse, matted blackish-brown fibrous material from its leaf sheaths. It produces a small fleshy yellow inflorescence at the center of the plant. The plant’s fruits are fleshy and white when ripe.
Trivia:
Did you know?
Rhapis is a Greek word that means ‘needle’ referring to its segmented leaf while excelsa is a Latin word meaning “tall”!
By: AALimpiada and ACMalayba