Palms For California

Pronunciation: sir-OX-ill-on voe-gull-ee-AH-num

Common Name: none

Ceroxylon vogelianum is a very fastidious palm and though grown in southern California now and then (rarely making it to maturity), is far better suited to the mild coastal climate of the Bay area, northern California where it rarely ever gets hot, but rarely freezes, either. It is a smallish species with a greenish trunk and a relatively less compact crown of spreading, plumose leaves.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-12 feather leaves Height: 15' Trunk: single; 6"-8" thick; irregularly ringed; lime green with a thin waxy coating (whiter near the crown of leaves) Crownshaft: incomplete; 2' tall; coppery to white Spread: 10' Leaf Description: pinnate/plumose; arching; 6'-8' long; olive green; leaves rarely fall below 45 degrees above horizontal Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; unarmed; pale to white; mildly channeled Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 3' long; arching and pendent with 1' peduncles Fruit: 1/2" thick; spherical; olive green turning red-orange when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 22F Drought Tolerance: poor Dry Heat Tolerance: very poor Cool Tolerance: excellent Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow Soil Preference: moist and well draining; acidic Light Requirement: filtered to full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: extremely finicky in southern California climates Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: very rare