Palms For California

Pronunciation: FEE-nix pal-oo-DOSE-uh

Common Name: Mangrove Date Palm

Phoenix paludosa is a very rare species of Phoenix in California, though it can be grown if given enough water and warmth when young. It is a suckering 'dwarf' species from southeast Asia, where it grows in mangrove swamps, that is more often grown in cultivation as an impenetrable hedge than as specimen palm in most areas of the tropical world. However, if trimmed well (not an easy task as it is very spiny near the leaf bases) and provided sufficient nitrogen, it can be a rather attractive palm.

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with an elongated crown of 14-18 of feather leaves Height: 15' estimate Trunk: multiple; 3"-6" thick; usually covered with tightly woven, thick fibrous strands and retained leaves or leaf bases; cleaned trunks show regular rings; arching away from the center of the plant Crownshaft: none Spread: 10'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; short, pointed but not very stiff or sharp leaflets on two distinct planes along each side of the rachis; 4'-6' long; pale to sea green though often a bit chlorotic in California Petiole/Leaf bases: 12"-18" long; yellow with some silvery color near the leaf base; armed with long, stiff, sharp spines at various angles Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 2' long; upright; from within crown; yellow; branched at tip Fruit: 1" long; ellipsoid; reddish turning black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 28F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: high Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: moist though and acidic, but tolerates some range in pH Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: very dangerous spines near leaf bases Disease or Horticultural Problems: nitrogen and potassium deficiencies seem hard to completely clear up Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unlikely to be a good choice Availability: very rare only occasionally becoming available, usually as seed (possibly rareness due to lack of popularity)