Palms For California

Pronunciation: rah-vih-NEE-uh riv-yoo-LAIR-iss

Common Name: Majesty Palm

Ravenea rivularis may be one of the most commonly available palms in all of the US, but a well grown maturing palm is still an eye-catcher and a worthy specimen. Often sold as indoor plant but not one of the better palm choices for growing indoors. Often sold in groups/multiples but recommend separating before planting. Loves LOTs of water. Tendency for nutritional problems. Eventually develops a large, pale very tall trunk if watered well and grown in the right climate. Even does well in the desert with extreme heat. Fast palm once trunk formed.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 15-25 leaves Height: 40' Trunk: single; clean; whitish tan to grey, often tapering (particularly if not very well watered) Crownshaft: none Spread: 12' Leaf Description: pinnate; 6'-8' long and 3' wide; flat to slightly twisted, upright to just below parallel before leaf falls off; light to deep green, but often yellowy in poorly fed palms; ratty in wind-exposed palms Petiole/Leaf bases: 12"-18" with light layer of greyish tomentum near base; light to mod green; unarmed; top fairly flat; unsplit Reproduction: diocieous Inflorescence: short from lower leaf bases with white flowers Fruit: 1/2" diameter and red when ripe Seed:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 27F Drought Tolerance: moderate but prefers high water exposure- can even grow in standing water if not cold Dry Heat Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: poor Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: moderate to fast with age Soil Preference: highly adaptable, but prefers rich soils with a lot of nutrients Light Requirement: full sun to partial shade or filtered light (full sun once trunk preferable) Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: often yellowy (nitrogen and/or iron deficiency common) with potassium deficiency also sometimes problematic; yellowy also in full, hot, inland sun as juvenile Transplants?: moderately good Indoor?: though one of the most commonly sold indoor palms, performs poorly due to low light and humidity; prone to spider mite Availability: extremely common- available from many non-specialty nurseries and very inexpensive