Palms For California

Pronunciation: kahm-uh-DOOR-ee-ue paw-chewt-LEN-siss

Common Name: none

Chamaedorea pochutlensis is one of the hardiest of the Chamaedorea and a nice, taller, clumping species for many areas of California. It tolerates more sun than most (though still not a great full sun palm), more wind (not a great wind palm though) and is fairly easy to grow, eventually forming fairly dense clumps of deep green plant, making it an excellent screen for smaller areas. It is also a good indoor palm as well. It is, however, not grown all that often, perhaps due primarily to its relatively odd name and frequently confusion with Chamaedorea costaricana (many Chamaedorea pochutlensis in California are mislabeled as Chamaedorea costaricana) which only helps keep its name out of the spotlight.

Synonym: Chamaedorea karwinskyana

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with a crown of 3-8 feather leaves Height: 14' Trunk: multiple; 1" thick; bright green though often with a hint of blue-green near the ground; ringed with internodes fairly far apart; stems fairly straight Crownshaft: 1' tall; often covered with a dead leaf sheath keeping it from being appreciated; about same diameter as stem Spread: 4'-6'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; leaflets dull to deep green; leathery; some raised lines along length of leaflets; leaflet tips often pendulous; 3' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 4"-5" long; smooth/unarmed; light green to blue-green Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: 3' long; last 1/3 branched; from below crownshaft; arching; pale yellow flowers Fruit: 1/2"; spherical; black with glaucous bloom when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 22F (some foliar damage may occur at this temp; reports of growing back from temps as low as 19F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: moderate Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: filtered light to partial sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: good Indoor?: good though prefers areas of brighter light Availability: rare