Greek rhapis – needle, phyllon – leaf, in reference to the needle-like leaf tips.

A single-species genus. For description see R. hystrix.

Seeds germinate erratically over 6-24 months. Suckers can be transplanted.

1 species from SE USA.

Shuey & Wunderlin (1977).

Source: Jones, D; Spencer, R. (2005). Arecaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.