Syagrus schizophylla

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: sigh-AH-gruss skits-oh-FILL-uh/ sky-zoe-FILL-uh


Common Name: Arikury Palm

Syagrus schizophylla is a relatively compact Syagrus and quite a bit different looking from most of the other commonly grown Syagrus in California. There are only a few mature palms in California since they are so slow growing (though palms in Florida grow 3-5x as fast) so are often the source of larger specimens in California). One of the only Syagrus with toothed petioles which sometimes confuses identification by less experienced enthusiasts.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 15-20 leaves
  • Height: 6' (trunk height)
  • Trunk: single; retained leaf bases along entire length of trunk save in really old palms; 6" thick
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 10'
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; arching and flat; long, wide, well spaced leaflets that extend laterally entire length (older palms), or with the last 1/2 to 2/3 drooping ornamentally downward (younger palms); olive to lime-green foliage; dark green if in deeper shade or very well fertilized; 6' long
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 18"-24" long; narrow; armed with sharp, black hooked, teeth a few inches apart
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: 2'-3' long, initially nearly completely vertical flower between lower leaves; gold colored with white to yellow flowers; arching and pendulous once in fruit
  • Fruit: 1" spherical, light green to yellow to orange when ripe
  • Seed:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 26F
  • Drought Tolerance: fair
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: good
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: moderate
  • Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age
  • Soil Preference: widely adaptable, including heavy clay
  • Light Requirement: full sun to partial shade
  • Human Hazards: sharp petiolar teeth
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none in California
  • Transplants?: fair transplanter
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: rare but readily available at palm nurseries; larger plants available from east coast where grows quite a bit faster


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