Suckering and clustering, this plant is an erect and slender palm to 3 m tall. Stem is canelike to 4 cm in diameter, densely matted with black coarse fiber. Its leaves are palmately divided into linear segments, appearing like a dissected fan; petiole is to 25 cm, stiff or arching and smooth. The male and female flowers are on separate plants, in short branches. It is native to Southern China. Introduced to the country in the early 1900’s. Propagated by separation of young plants or suckers.
Rhoeo spathacea
A succulent perennial herb with leaves forming a rosette, this plant has lanceolate leaves that are stiff, waxy, metallic green above and purple beneath. Flowers are small, white, borne on the leaf axils, with boat shaped bracts. It is native to tropical America and propagated by division.