Pronunciation: DIP-siss sam-oh-FILE-uh
Common Name: none
Dypsis psammophila is one of the Dypsis that has been grown in California for over 20 years, though there are a lot of 'look-alike' species that often get confused with this one. It does not help that this plant seems very variable, at least in terms of coloration. Itn b is an attractive and colorful smaller, clustering species with narrow, powdery stems and wispy leaves.
Appearance and Biology
- Habit: clustering with a crown of 4-6 feather leaves
- Height: 15'
- Trunk: multiple; 1" thick; ringed; light green to dark (nearly black), covered with varying degrees of powdery tomentum
- Crownshaft: 12"-18" tall; same width as stem below; covered with thick layer of powder giving it a light color
- Spread: 6'-12'+
- Leaf Description: pinnate; very narrow leaflets; recurved with leaflets in a 'V'; leaflets arching and pendent near tips; 5'-6' long; upright to 45 degrees in orientation
- Petiole/Leaf bases: thin; 1' long; unarmed; un-split; yellowy-green
- Reproduction: monoecious
- Inflorescence: from well below leaves; 1' long, thick and arching downwards; moderately branched
- Fruit:
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Horticultural Characteristics
- Minimum Temp: 28F
- Drought Tolerance: low
- Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
- Cool Tolerance: moderate
- Wind Tolerance: moderate
- Salt Tolerance: unknown
- Growth Rate: slow
- Soil Preference: psammophila means sand loving, but plant seems adaptable
- Light Requirement: filtered light to full sun
- Human Hazards: none
- Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
- Transplants?: unknown
- Indoor?: may do well
- Availability: rare
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