Palms For California

Pronunciation: cam-uh-DOOR-ee-uh plew-MOSE-uh

Common Name: none

Chamaedorea plumosa is among the most sun hardy of the Chamaedoreas and in most areas of California seems quite at home in full sun (except the desert areas). This palm is so commonly grown and familiar to most palm growers that it is hard to believe it is relatively new described (new enough to not make into Hodel's bible on Chamaedoreas)- seems like they have been around forever. It is a relatively tall and fast growing species that looks best when grown in groups (a bit spindly and sparse sometimes as a solitary plant).

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-12 plumose leaves Height: 20' Trunk: single; 1.5"-2.5" thick; green; prominently ringed with steps at each ring; rings anywhere from 1/2" to 4" apart Crownshaft: 6"-8" tall; pale green; often bulbous at the bottom; wider than the stem Spread: 4'-6' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; long, thin leaflets mostly pendant; leaflets come off rachis in different directions, as well as in different planes; 3' long; light green Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"; rounded; light green; unarmed Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: female inflorescences upright and males more pendant; from below crownshaft; 1' long; branched; flower yellow-orange Fruit: spherical; 1/3"; purplish black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 27F Drought Tolerance: moderate to good Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate to good Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: widely adaptable Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: seems fairly tolerant Indoor?: gets spindly indoors and tends to decline Availability: moderately rare, sometimes showing up at non-palm specialty nurseries