Palms For California

Pronunciation: cly-no-STIG-muh say-ver-ee-ANN-um

Common Name: Pacifica Beauty Palm; Bonin Islands Palm

Clinostigma savoryanum is probably the hardiest of all the Clinostigmas and several trunking palms exist in California. It has a very nice long crownshaft, an ornamentally ringed trunk and lime green leaves. Despite it being the easiest Clinostigma to grow in California, it is still considered a marginal climate and only grows well in the very best, warmest, frost free climates.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-8 feather leaves Height: 24' estimate Trunk: single; 8" thick; prominently and closely ringed; white at least near the top, fading to green-brown below Crownshaft: nearly 2' tall; about same diameter at its base as trunk, then tapering evenly towards crown; light green with white powdery tomentum (making it look blue green) Spread: 10'-12' Leaf Description: pinnate; upright to arching, rarely below a 45 degree angle; 6'-8' long; flat to slightly 'V'd (particularly near petiole); leaflets very close together, arching with half slightly pendent, becoming more prominently pendent with age; bright green Petiole/Leaf bases: 8"-12"; rounded; unarmed; bright green with some tomentum near bases giving them a bit of a blue-green coloration Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: from below crownshaft; 1'; upright/angled; look like white whisk brooms (many stiff, short branches) Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 31F Drought Tolerance: poor Dry Heat Tolerance: low Cool Tolerance: poor Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare