Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss man-nann-jar-EN-siss

Common Name: Mealy Bug Palm

Dypsis mananjarensis was a incredibly rare and sought after palm 20 years ago when it seemed only 1 palm existed in California (in the possession of the famous Dr. Mardy Darian in San Diego county). Since then this palm has been brought slowly into cultivation, though it is still on many palm enthusiasts 'really want badly' list. This is a wonderfully ornamental large Madagascan species with some fantastic colors and mottling as well as the always striking thick green, ringed trunk and long arching leaves of so many of the larger Dypsis species. It is called the mealy bug palm for the obvious mealy-bug-like flecking on the the crownshaft and petioles of this palm. It now seems there may be several competitors for the name 'Mealy Bug Palm' however, but this was the first. There are also either some closely related species now in cultivation, or this palm is much more variable than previously considered. It seems to be a fairly marginal palm but perhaps not as much as previously thought. It just has not been tested enough to know for sure what its limits truly are.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 5-7 feather leaves Height: 40' estimate Trunk: single; 10"-14" thick; green and prominently ringed; blue green to lime green with a thin coating of white powder higher on trunk Crownshaft: 2' tall; lime green with orange, white powdery areas and a striking 'mealy-bug' like flecking on its upper surfaces (less obvious in mature palms) Spread: 10'-20' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose, though with varying degrees- seems to be more prominent in younger palms; straight to slightly arching; 10'-15' long; deep green; relatively wide leaflets upright in a deep 'V', but some flopping at various points along their length; rachis have oranges and lime green coloration with prominent linear mealy flecking on them, particularly in young palms; new leaves sometimes reddish Petiole/Leaf bases: several feet long in young palms, but shortening to about 6" in mature individuals; sharp edges; deeply channeled; deep maroon to orange to lime green coloration with the linear mealy bug flecking; new leaves have such thick flecking that the petioles can look white; unarmed; un-split bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: from immediately below crownshaft; very short and thick peduncle; many branched and arching to pendent; 2' long; pale yellow Fruit: spherical; 1/4" or less in diameter; dark green

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: heavy fronds in mature palms can pose hazards when falling Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: very rare