Dypsis 'onilahensis' recurved form

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: DIP-siss oh-nil-uh-HEN-siss


Common Name: none

''Dypsis 'onilahensis Recurved Form is the name we are currently giving to this palm, which was initially lumped in with the true Dypsis onilahensis, but now appears more likely to be a very closely related but yet undescribed species. It differs from the true form in several ways, but the most obvious is its recurved leaves, which are quite strikingly different from the droopy-leaved plants typical of Dypsis onilahensis. So far there does not appear to be any obvious 'transitional' forms, as there really should be would this plant actually be Dypsis onilahensis. Other marked differences include flowers above the crownshaft, a more overall 'beefy' size, different colored trunks and a somewhat different suckering pattern (more closely clustered). But since this palm is has not officially been placed outside Dypsis onilahensis, and we have nothing better to call it yet, it will be referred to here as a recurved form of the same species. Either way, it is a very attractive and hardy species, and makes a fantastic garden specimen.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: Clustering with a crown of 6-8 feather leaves
  • Height: 25'
  • Trunk: multiple with closely clustering stems (often touching); 6"-8" thick; prominently ringed; light to lime green with a whitish powder over the newer portions of the trunk
  • Crownshaft: 18"-24" tall; heavily powdered with white giving overall appearance of light turquoise to pale green; slightly thicker that trunk below
  • Spread: 10'-20'+
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; 6' long; arching/recurved; sometimes leaves twisting laterally; leaflets upright in a fairly narrow 'V'; bright green to somewhat bluish green; leaflet tips acutely pendent near last 1/10 of leaflet length
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 6" long; medium green; unarmed; rounded; un-split
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: always from above crownshaft (within leaves or infrafoliar); whisk-broom-like ends of thick pedicle that is 6"-1' long; sometimes pendent
  • Fruit: spherical; light green; 1/2" thick
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 25F
  • Drought Tolerance: moderate
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: slow to moderate
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: partial to full sun
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
  • Transplants?: fairly tolerant if done carefully
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: rare


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