Dypsis pembana

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: DIP-siss pem-BAN-uh


Common Name: none

Dypsis pembana is one of the earlier success stories in California and some maturing palms exist in the state (though these are far shorter than those grown in the tropics). It is one of the tallest of the Dypsis palms in nature. It is a clustering species, but occasionally, in cultivation, a solitary plant will pop up. This palm is native to an island between Madagascar and mainland Africa (the Island of Pemba, one of the Comoro Islands).

Synonym: Chrysalidocarpus pembana

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: slowly clustering/sometimes solitary with a crown of 8-12 feather leaves
  • Height: 25' estimate
  • Trunk: multiple/sometimes single; 4" in diameter; light green; prominently ringed; base of trunks have prominent 'feet' (bulbous, flared bases)
  • Crownshaft: pale green to white with powdery tomentum on it; about same diameter as trunk; about 18:-24" tall
  • Spread: 6'-12'+
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; slight recurved; upright leaflets in a wide 'V'; 6'-7' long; medium to bright green
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; pale green; unarmed; un-split bases
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: within leaves (at least above crownshaft); 2' long; distal half highly branched
  • Fruit: 1/2: long; ovoid; bright red when ripe
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 30F
  • Drought Tolerance: low
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
  • Cool Tolerance: low
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: moderate
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: partial to full sun
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: tends to get yellowy the taller it gets (nutritional versus wind/cold exposure?)
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: rare


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