Rhapis subtilis
Tightly clustered, small-sized palm forming large clumps. Individual stems 2–3 m tall, 0.4–1.5 cm diam. (without leaf sheath remnants). Leaves 7–18 in crown; leaf sheath 10–15 cm long, often with persistent ligule; petiole 20–25 cm long, 0.15–0.2 cm across; blade 1/2–4/5-circular in outline, flattened, pale green abaxially as well as adaxially, varible in size up to 40 cm diam., splitting variable to 0.1–17 cm from hastula, segments 2–11, 7–25-folded. Male and female inflorescence similar, branched to 1–2 orders, to 30–50(–60) cm long, prophyll and rachis bracts similar, overlapping not inflated; rachis 6–30 cm long with two first order branches, rachillae usually few, 3–25 cm long. Flowers 5–6.5 mm long, different sexual types of flowers similar, calyx irregularly lobed, evenly pigmented, male flowers slightly longer than the female and hermaphroditic ones. Fruit globose, 8–10 mm diam., borne on an up to 2 mm long receptacular stalk.
Widespread in Thailand but often locally scattered. Of little concern.
Very variable in leaf dissection, but easily distinguished by the relatively large flowers with leathery perianths.
Global — Vietnam, Laos (type).
Thailand — EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima; SOUTH-WESTERN: Phetchaburi; SOUTH-EASTERN: Chanthaburi; PENINSULAR: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Trang, Songkhla.
Quite common in evergreen forest and near streams in seasonal forest. Associated with limestone outcrops.
Ornamental.