Palms For California

Pronunciation: coe-purr-NEE-shu fall-EN-siss

Common Name: Giant Yarey Palm

Copernicia fallaensis is a rare palm for California, but it is quickly catching on as a potential eventual beauty and, like Copernicia baileyana, surprisingly hardy (though perhaps not quite as sturdy). This Cuban species has monstrous, stiff, perfectly symmetrical, pleated fan leaves. Perhaps in another 20-30 years we will have some mature palms growing in California.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 10-15 fan leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; 18" thick (estimate); usually clean; trunks in nature tend to be narrower at the base than near the top Crownshaft: none Spread: 15' estimate Leaf Description: palmate; deep green with younger palms having a bit of blue-green coloration; stiff; finely pleated with numerous perfectly spaced leaflets; leaves divided about 1/4 their length; leaves nearly a complete oval; 8' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 2' long; wide; shallowy channeled; pale blue-green with some whitish patina on them; heavily armed with closely spaced black teeth; un-split leaf bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 28F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: good Cool Tolerance: moderate to poor Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: low Growth Rate: very slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: very sharp petiolar teeth Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare