棕竹屬常綠灌木，原產中國西南至南部。莖叢生有節，上部有葉鞘分解的網狀纖維，地下有走莖。葉掌狀深裂，每裂片長寬常不均等。雌雄異株，黃色花微小。果實倒卵形，成熟淺黃色。開花期夏季，結果期秋季。

An evergreen shrub in the genus Rhapis, native to the southwest and south of China. Stems clumped and noded, with reticulated fibers divided from the leaf sheath in the upper part, stolon underground. Leaves palmate with deep lobes, each lobe often unequal in length and width. Dioecious, flowers tiny and yellow. Fruits obovate in shape and mature pale yellow. Flowering in summer and fruiting in autumn.

半日照至全日照溫暖環境，建築物旁或樹蔭下且濕度高時生長良好。介質需排水良好，每季施用一次長效性綜合肥料。隨時修剪枯葉與過密枝葉，老莖需整枝剪除。繁殖使用播種或分株法。

The plant normally grows in warm environments with partial or full sun, and grows in humid locations near buildings or under the shades. It prefers well drained medium; apply long-active compound fertilizer once every season. Prune withered leaves and overdense branches when needed and remove the old stems entirely. Propagated from seeds or ramets.

葉片濃綠有光澤，適合單株欣賞優雅姿態或叢植、列植於庭園遮蔭處。耐陰性強的特點，也適合作為室內綠化的盆栽。葉片、葉柄可做切葉用於花藝。老莖堅韌可製作拐杖，因此台語稱為拐仔棕。

With green and shiny foliage, it’s suitably planted along to display the elegant posture or planted in clusters or in rows in garden shades. Highly shade-tolerant, they are great potted plants for the use of indoor greening. The cuttings of leaves and petioles can be used as material of floral art. The old stems are tough enough to make crutches, which gives rise to the Taiwanese alias.