Palms For California

Pronunciation: cry-oh-SAH-fill-uh/cry-oh-suh-FILL-uh wahr-see-WICK-see-eye

Common Name: Rootspine Palm

Cryosophila warscewiczii is one of several Cryosphila species growing in California, though telling most of the Cryosophila species apart is a talent reserved by true palm experts. Most growers just stick with identity on their seeds and few if any enthusiasts can challenge them. This Central American fan palm is a good plant for many areas of California and even makes an excellent indoor palm as well, so it should be grown more often than it actually is.

Synonym: Cryosophila albida

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 10-12 fan leaves Height: 20' Trunk: single; 4"-5" thick; covered with tan fibers and some split, thin leaf bases Crownshaft: none Spread: 4'-5' Leaf Description: palmate; split half to 3/4 of the length of the leaf (in some parts of leaf may be split to the petiole); dark green dorsally and nearly white ventrally; 3' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 18"-24" long; thin; deeply channeled; nearly black undersides; unarmed; split leaf bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 18"-24"; pendulous; from within leaves Fruit: spherical; 3/4"; light green turning white when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 26F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: low Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: full shade to filtered sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: tattered if not protected from winds Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: excellent Availability: rare