Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss karl-SMITH-ee-eye

Common Name: none

Dypsis carlsmithii is one of the more recently described palms from Madagascar (not in that book) and seems so far to be a pretty good future specimen palm for warmer areas of California. So far there are no mature palms in California, but many young ones now. It is a very large palm as an adult so someday there will be some impressive specimens about the state. It is also a relatively colorful palm with an orangish crownshaft and bright red flecking when newly exposed. It is a bit marginal, but how hardy it is yet not precisely known as it has not been around long enough. Was once sold as Dypsis 'Stumpy' until it was officially described at the beginning of this century.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 10-15 feather leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; 1' thick; closely ringed; pale orange near crown; pale-grey brown with age Crownshaft: 2' tall; pale orange; about 2" thicker than trunk below Spread: 14'-16' Leaf Description: pinnate; markedly recurved; most upright; leaflets upright in a narrow 'V'; leaflets stiff and only droop at their very tips; 8'-10' long; bright green Petiole/Leaf bases: short (6"); wide; channeled a bit; yellow-green Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: within leaves (above crownshaft); 3'-4' long; many branched Fruit: asymmetrically ovoid; 1/2" long; black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 29F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: once mature (no mature palms in California yet) very heavy leaves fall rapidly Disease or Horticultural Problems: none yet Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare but generally available from many speciality nurseries