Palms For California

Pronunciation: coe-purr-KNEE-see-uh mah-crow-GLOSS-uh

Common Name: Cuban Petticoat Palm

Copernicia macroglossa is a very marginal palm for California despite it's growing quite well and showing some impressive cold hardiness on the east coast. It just happens to be one of many palms that have poor 'cool tolerance', i.e... prolonged periods of cool weather (such as sub 40s). In zone 9b in Florida, some can get this palm up to a fairly large size before it ultimately succumbs to their periodic deep freezes. But temps down into the freezing range seem to have little effect upon it, as long as it heats up quickly soon after. Some California growers have managed to eke this one along year after year, and in Palm Desert there is even one of good size. However, this plant seems to be restricted to the nearly frost free inland deserts or the small pockets of 'perfect' weather in the southern tip of the state (warm zone 10bs). Grown well, this is a spectacular as well as curious plant.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 12-15 fan leaves Height: 10' estimate Trunk: single; 6"-8" thick; clean and subtly ringed, or with petticoat or retained, cut leaf bases (so far no real trunking palms in California, either) Crownshaft: none Spread: 6'-8' Leaf Description: palmate; flat; stiff; leaves divided about 1/4 to 1/2 their length; deep, bright green; 3'-4' long; semicircular Petiole/Leaf bases: very short to nearly non-existent; armed Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 5'-6' extended far beyond leaf tips; from within leaves; minimally branched; flowers brown Fruit: spherical; 3/4'; green

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: good Cool Tolerance: poor Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: very slow Soil Preference: adabptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: stiff somewhat rough, spiny leaves Disease or Horticultural Problems: very touchy in California Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unlikely to do well Availability: rare