Palms For California

Pronunciation: ken-tee-OP-siss peer-sohn-ee-OAR-um

Common Name: none

Kentiopsis piersoniorum is a slow growing but fairly reliable New Caledonian palm for California, though no mature one exist (yet). As a young palm it is quite colorful, with new orange to reddish leaves, pinkish to yellow or orangish petioles, pale blue-green to mint green leaflets, a purplish-green crownshaft and a pinkish trunk.

Synonym: Mackea magnifica 'Champagne'

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 3-5 feather leaves Height: 25' estimate Trunk: single; 6" diameter; pale with wide, lighter rings Crownshaft: 18" tall; glaucous pink/purple with a green tint; bulbous base, much wider the trunk below Spread: 6'-10' Leaf Description: pinnate; strikingly recurved; pale green to mint green leaves; leaflets stiff and form a 'V' in cross section of leaf; 4'-6' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'-2' long (longer in younger palms); tubular; yellow or orange-pink; unarmed; un-split Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: arching; 6"-8" simple brush-like; only one at a time; minimal to no peduncle Fruit: elliptical; 1/2" long; reddish purple when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: low to moderate Cool Tolerance: low to moderate Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age Soil Preference: moist and well draining Light Requirement: filtered light to partial sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare