Rhaphis

Rhaphis is most commonly encountered as a misspelling or variant spelling of the palm genus Rhapis. In contemporary taxonomy, there is no recognized genus named Rhaphis. The genus Rhapis comprises several species of small, clumping palms in the family Arecaceae, native to East Asia.

The best-known species is Rhapis excelsa, commonly known as the lady palm, which is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. Other species in the genus share similar growth forms and are used in similar horticultural contexts, often valued for their tolerance of low light and compact, clumping habit.

Rhapis palms are evergreen, with slender, cane-like trunks and fan-shaped leaves. Each leaf is palmately divided into multiple narrow leaflets, giving the plant a distinctive, overflowing appearance when mature. They typically grow slowly and form clumps rather than single tall trunks, making them well suited to indoor culture and shaded outdoor planting.

In their native habitat, Rhapis species occupy forest understories and edge environments, where they receive dappled light. Cultivation requirements emphasize bright, indirect light (though Rhapis excelsa tolerates lower light levels), well-drained, humus-rich soil, and regular moisture with good humidity. Overwatering and poor drainage can lead to root problems. Because of their attractive foliage and modest size, Rhapis palms are popular as indoor houseplants and as screening or accent plants in sheltered outdoor spaces in suitable climates.