Palmstory | Wherever I lay...

The beauty about equatorial regions, is that plants propagate quickly and abundantly with ease.

Even if one does not intend to have a particular plant or type of grass, they're bound to land in your garden if the species exist in neighbourhood surrounds, whether one likes it or not. The wind, the birds, hired help with their lawnmowers, all play their role in nature's mystic cycle of life...

The maintenance bit to rid the undesired species then becomes the bane of the gardener. Precious time that could be spent on nuturing, giving TLC to desired species gave way to time spent getting rid of the unwanted. Urrgh!

Here's some palm seeds which defy the odds. Not only to survive, but thrive in the most unlikely places with little care nor maintenance.  

More like a tropical palm's take on Paul Young's song, "Wherever I lay my Hat, that's my home", here are my surprise finds...

Whilst not too clearly seen in the centre of this pic -  a palm seedling (Areca sp.) amongst fern + weeds found themselves stranded in high places, a pitcher plant (Nepenthes) fountain in the city centre.

A whole bunch of Lady Palm (Raphis excelsa) seedlings survive on construction debris in the city

 I'm a jail palm, get me out of here!

Reaching out...  safe and sound, a well protected palm seedling (Areca sp.) growing in a 2ft deep 1ft wide and very long drain (cell?) outside a shopping mall carpark in Kota Damasara.

Secret of The Orient: Raphis Palm Book

Came across this very interesting website introducing a book, titled above by Lynn McKamey.

It has helped answered and enlightened myself with regard to some of differences I'd noted about the Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) species but unable to identify specifically so.

Feel this site has opened up more exciting possibilities for me to look out for, such as, the dwarf, mini dwarf, green, mini green and variegated varieties plus many many more besides the 'standard' specimen.

Thus, for my personal reference and for those interested or considering versatile indoor palms, link below is "raphis extraordinaire" !

http://www.rhapisgardens.com/rhapis-excelsa/

The Large Lady Palm

Botanical Name: Raphis excelsa

This species is a native of Southern China.  Being a tropical and sub-tropical palm, they are very easily grown both, indoors and out.

In Malaysia, you can find many of these potted specimens softening the stark pillars and dull concrete columns of many shopping malls and complexes or in parks and gardens.

The dark green, glossy palmate leaf fans out  stiffly from a slender petiole. The leaves, which are divided
into many (I.ve counted between 6 to 20) pleated fingers each, are striking and quite an oasis to tired eyes where ever you see them.

The tips of the leaves are blunt which are noticeably different from the Slender Lady Palm, which has pointy tips, as probably the name implies!  This specimen is also known as the Broadleaf Lady Palm due to its height and width.

It is said to be very slow in its growth chart  however, the multi-stemmed cluster makes a healthy bush in full sunshine or partial shade.  Each sturdy stem is well protected by a coarse layer of greyish brown fibres which looks like hessian cloth.

In the great tropical outdoors, these palms grow healthy and luxuriant with minimum attention, as these pictures show.