Palms For California

Pronunciation: HIGH-uh-for-bee INN-dih-cuh

Common Name:

Hyophorbe indica is a palm native to the Mascarene Islands, but has surprising hardiness here in California. As seedlings, this palm comes in red and green stem colors, but both look the same at maturity. This Hyophorbe species is vastly superior, in terms of adaptability to the California climate, than the other species available, though sadly, a bit less ornamental in terms of trunk swelling. In California it does not usually hold a large head of leaves but does make it to maturity and second generation palms exist in California. Very attractive, unique specimen for a protected area in a warm climate.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary palm with head of about 3-6 leaves Height: 20 feet tall Trunk: single, ringed, 8" in diameter Crownshaft: 2' plus and dark green-grey trunk- nearly black in some plants; barely any wider than trunk but sometimes with a small bulge at the very bottom Spread: 10' Leaf Description: pinnate, recurved with moderately wide, and widely spaced, upright leaflets of deep green; 6' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; deeply channeled and nearly circular on cross section, bright light green; unarmed Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 1-3 arise from just below crownshaft, with an orangish bract to start; highly branched and upright initially, drooping as becomes laden with fruits Fruit: 1" long, oblong, curiously wrinkled, green to orange to black when ripe Seed: 1cm nearly spherical

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: poor Dry Heat Tolerance: poor Wind Tolerance: poor Salt Tolerance: poor Growth Rate: slow (fast in tropical climates) Soil Preference: moist and well draining, though fairly adaptable Light Requirement: full sun to nearly full shade Human Hazards: none known Disease or Horticultural Problems: tends to konk out for unknown reasons pre maturation Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: might be a good indoor plant Availability: rare but readily available at specialty nurseries