Palms For California

Pronunciation: sigh-foe-SPERM-uh buh-LANCE/buh-LANCE-say

Common Name: none

Cyphosperma balansae' is a striking solitary pinnate palm from New Caledonia that has been grown by many palm enthusiasts in the best California climates, but rarely does it look perfect thanks to its particular fastidiousness about humidity. Probably the only places this palm is likely to succeed is near the coast or another warm, large body of water where it rarely if ever freezes. As an adult this palm demonstrates very pale petioles that rapidly fade from nearly white to jet black leaf bases. This ornamental coloration along with its tropical looking, arching leaves with stiff leaflets make this a great specimen palm in the tropics. A number of other Cyphosperma species have recently been entering cultivation making this one of the more popular genera among collectors, but so far this is the only species that has made it as far as California.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-12 feather leaves Height: 15' estimate Trunk: single; 5"-6" thick; very closely ringed; dark (nearly black) Crownshaft: incomplete made up of 3-5 overlapping leaf bases; 1' tall; nearly black at its base fading to a pale green covered with a white powder Spread: 6'-10' Leaf Description: pinnate; recurved; leaflets pointed upward in a wide 'V' with very little leaflet droop; 4'-6' long; leaves often oriented nearly vertically giving a silhouette that looks like a shuttlecock; bright green to yellowy-green Petiole/Leaf bases: yellow-green fading to nearly pure black at their base; un-split; wide but not wide enough to form a true crownshaft; 6"-8" long; mildly channeled Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 2'-3' long; vertically oriented, but drooping midway if laden with seed; from below leaf bases and often multiple inflorescences at a time Fruit: spherical; 1/2"; red when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow Soil Preference: moist and well draining Light Requirement: shade to filtered sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: touchy with dry heat Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare