Palms For California

Pronunciation: uh-RENG-uh my-CRANTH-uh

Common Name: Tibetan Sugar Palm

Arenga micrantha is a relatively new palm for California and there are no mature palms yet in this state (but some getting there). This one comes from a relatively high elevation (Tibet), so much as been predicted about its cold tolerance. However its actual minimum survival temperature is still unknown. But it is clear that it does fairly well in many areas of California. As a younger palm it is quite similar in appearance to Arenga engleri and Arenga tremula though it seems to remain a solitary species for much longer. As ages, leaves are more arching and lengthy

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with a crown of about 6-10 feather leaves per stem Height: 10' estimate Trunk: multiple; 4"-6" thick; fibrous trunk with retained leaf bases Crownshaft: none Spread: 12'-16'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; arching; leaflets narrowly fishtail; dark green; 8'-12' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 2' long; brown; faint hint of fuzz; angular- no channel; un-split and retained along length of trunk Reproduction: dioecious (unusual for this genus) Inflorescence: Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 20F estimate Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: shade to partial sun Human Hazards: oxalate toxins in fruits Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare