Difference between revisions of "Chamaedorea costaricana"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor
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'''''Chamaedorea costaricana''''' is one of the better of the large, clustering Chamaedoreas in terms of filling large areas in a 'wall-like' fashion, though it does best when not in full, baking sun or high, dry winds.  It is one of many Chamaedoreas with the common name 'Bamboo Palm' for the obvious reason of having tall, green, ringed stems.  Younger plants can sometimes be confused with ''Chamaedorea seifrizii'' and ''Chamaedorea pochutlensis'', which is generally a more densely clustering palm with smaller stems.  Also neither of those palms have ligules at their leaf bases as ''Chamaedorea costaricana'' does (see a photo below)
 
'''''Chamaedorea costaricana''''' is one of the better of the large, clustering Chamaedoreas in terms of filling large areas in a 'wall-like' fashion, though it does best when not in full, baking sun or high, dry winds.  It is one of many Chamaedoreas with the common name 'Bamboo Palm' for the obvious reason of having tall, green, ringed stems.  Younger plants can sometimes be confused with ''Chamaedorea seifrizii'' and ''Chamaedorea pochutlensis'', which is generally a more densely clustering palm with smaller stems.  Also neither of those palms have ligules at their leaf bases as ''Chamaedorea costaricana'' does (see a photo below)
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Synonyms: ''Chamaedorea quezaltica''
  
 
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Revision as of 11:48, 13 December 2014

Pronunciation: kam-uh-DOOR-ee-uh/kam-eh-doh-REE-uh coe-stah-ree-KAHN-uh


Common Name: Bamboo Palm; Costarican Bamboo Palm

Chamaedorea costaricana is one of the better of the large, clustering Chamaedoreas in terms of filling large areas in a 'wall-like' fashion, though it does best when not in full, baking sun or high, dry winds. It is one of many Chamaedoreas with the common name 'Bamboo Palm' for the obvious reason of having tall, green, ringed stems. Younger plants can sometimes be confused with Chamaedorea seifrizii and Chamaedorea pochutlensis, which is generally a more densely clustering palm with smaller stems. Also neither of those palms have ligules at their leaf bases as Chamaedorea costaricana does (see a photo below)

Synonyms: Chamaedorea quezaltica

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: clustering with a crown of 12-14 feather leaves on each stem
  • Height: 10'-15'
  • Trunk: multiple; 3/4"-1" thick; straight, green and ringed like a bamboo culm; rings fairly far apart (6"-8")
  • Crownshaft: 6"; green; same diameter as stem
  • Spread: 4'-15'+
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; slight arching down; deep green; 3'-4' long
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"; slightly channeled but smooth all over; unarmed; unique ligule at leaf base makes this palm identifiable (small triangular projection at leaf base usually against the stem)
  • Reproduction: dioecious
  • Inflorescence: from below leaves; 2'-3' long; highly branched; yellow flowers
  • Fruit: spherical; 1/4"; black when ripe; contain a bit of oxalates (irritants- don't eat)
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 25F
  • Drought Tolerance: moderate
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: low
  • Salt Tolerance: low
  • Growth Rate: moderate
  • Soil Preference: adaptable
  • Light Requirement: shade to partial sun
  • Human Hazards: mild toxicity to fruits
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
  • Transplants?: difficult as root balls get very large and complex
  • Indoor?: good though eventually grow out of pots
  • Availability: moderately rare only (occasionally shows up in non-specialty nurseries)

  • Sherman Oaks, California

  • Balboa Park, San Diego, California

  • Golden Gate park, San Francisco, California

  • Lotusland, Santa Barbara, California

  • Huntington gardens near Pasadena, California

  • Los Angeles arboretum near Pasadena, California

  • Lotusland

  • Lotusland

  • Lotusland

  • Lotusland

  • Ventura, California in the Sullivan garden

  • Los Angeles arboretum

  • Ventura in Sullivan garden

  • Chamaedorea costaricana foliage shot 14.jpg

  • Close up focusing on the ligules at the leaf bases (seen in the two upper most leaves on this shot)

  • Chamaedorea costaricana leaf larb.jpg

  • plant in flower, Lotusland, Santa Barbara

  • in flower, Lotusland

  • flower closer

  • closeup of flowers

  • fruits in Huntington Gardens

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