Adonidia merrillii

Common name

Christmas palm, Manila palm

Description

Stems: Solitary, upright, gray stems to 7 m tall and 25-30 cm in diameter, ringed with crowded leafleaf:
in palms -- the leaf blade (which is usually divided into leaflets or leaf segments), the petiole (or leaf stalk) and the sheath (which forms the attachment of the leaf to the stem)
scars that may fade with age, usually bulging at the base. Leaves: Pinnate, with a short tomentose petiole and stiffly arching rachisrachis:
an extension of the petiole through the blade of a pinnate leaf to which leaflets are attached
; leafleaf:
in palms -- the leaf blade (which is usually divided into leaflets or leaf segments), the petiole (or leaf stalk) and the sheath (which forms the attachment of the leaf to the stem)
sheaths forming a bright green crown shaftcrown shaft:
a cylinder of clasping leaf sheaths toward the apex of the stem, found in some pinnate-leaved palms (e.g., <em>Wodyetia bifurcata</em>)
with whitish-gray scales. Leaflets, held in a decidedly V-shaped angle, grow in several planes from the base to about the midpoint of the leafleaf:
in palms -- the leaf blade (which is usually divided into leaflets or leaf segments), the petiole (or leaf stalk) and the sheath (which forms the attachment of the leaf to the stem)
; then toward the apex, in a single plane. The midrib and marginal veins are prominent. Leaflet tips are irregularly jagged. The abaxialabaxial:
away from or the side of an organ facing away from the axis (<strong>ab </strong>as in <strong>ab</strong>andon); for example, the lower surface of a leaf blade or petiole
(under) surface of the leaflets is covered with tiny brown scales, with easily visible dark brown ramentaramenta:
irregularly shaped, thin scales, sometimes found along the abaxial midrib of a leaflet
along the midrib toward the base of the leaflet. Reinsreins:
narrow strips along the margins of some pinnate leaves that peel away as the leaflets unfold; in some species, the reins are persistent and hang down long after the leaf has “opened.”
are commonly seen persisting on open leaves. Flowers and fruits: Inflorescences (about 60 cm long) are borne below the crown shaftcrown shaft:
a cylinder of clasping leaf sheaths toward the apex of the stem, found in some pinnate-leaved palms (e.g., <em>Wodyetia bifurcata</em>)
and are branched to three or four orders at the base with fewer branches toward the tip. Flowers are small, creamy white and unisexual. Fruits are ovoid, 3 - 3.5 cm, at first pale green, then scarlet when ripe. Most fruit ripen simultaneously to produce a striking bright red cluster in December, leading to the common name, "Christmas Palm."

Diagnostic features

Field: Erect, solitary palms with close leafleaf:
in palms -- the leaf blade (which is usually divided into leaflets or leaf segments), the petiole (or leaf stalk) and the sheath (which forms the attachment of the leaf to the stem)
scar rings on the slender gray stem; leaflets held in a stiff V-shape and grow in several planes toward the leafleaf:
in palms -- the leaf blade (which is usually divided into leaflets or leaf segments), the petiole (or leaf stalk) and the sheath (which forms the attachment of the leaf to the stem)
base. If ripe fruits are present, the entire infructescence holds scarlet red fruits, rather than a mix of green and red.

Lab: Tiny brown scales, fringed with white, covering the underside of the leaflets, with obvious dark brown ramentaramenta:
irregularly shaped, thin scales, sometimes found along the abaxial midrib of a leaflet
along the base of the midrib; secondary veins prominent.

May be confused with

Veitchia species: Adonidia has been included in this genus, and the species remaining in the genus can be difficult to separate. They may also hybridize, adding to the possible confusion. In the field, Adonidia merrillii can be distinguished by the V-shape in which leaflets are held; Veitchia spp. have pendant leaflets. In the lab, minute abaxialabaxial:
away from or the side of an organ facing away from the axis (<strong>ab </strong>as in <strong>ab</strong>andon); for example, the lower surface of a leaf blade or petiole
scales might help in identification: those of Adonidia are brown while those of Veitchia spp. are silvery white with brown centers, shiny red, or absent.

Distribution

Native to karst limestone habitats in Palawan Island in the Philippines and northern Borneo

Additional comments

This species is commonly found as a potted palm in interior spaces such as shopping malls, as well as outdoors in warm areas. Unfortunately, it is quite susceptible to lethal yellowing.

Scientific name

Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc.

Family

Arecaceae/Palmae

Synonyms

Normanbya merrillii Becc.

Veitchia merrillii (Becc.) H.E.Moore