Palms For California

Pronunciation: HWANN-ee-uh aw-STRALL-us

Common Name: Chonta Palm

Juania australis is one of the few palms for ONLY northern California. All efforts to grow this in southern and central California have been met with failure. It is a very fastidious species, tolerating a narrow range of temperatures and humidity, only found in and around the Bay Area of northern California. Some good examples can be found in Golden Gate park and Lakeside arboretum, and some might be growing in the private gardens in those areas as well. Trunking palms can be seen in Golden Gate park. This palm is from a single island group off the coast of Chile (Juan Fernandez Islands) which has a very narrow range of conditions this palm has adapted and evolved to tolerate/excel in. It is a crownshafted elegant palm with long, arching leaves and a closely ringed trunk. This is probably one of the rarest of the cultivated palms.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 15-20 feather leaves Height: 30' estimate Trunk: single; 10"; closely ringed Crownshaft: incomplete; 2' tall; olive green; wider than trunk below Spread: 10' Leaf Description: pinnate; arching; leaflets in a 'V' and upright though less so farther away from leaf base; medium to dark green; leaflets have arching/drooping tips Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; unarmed Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: from below crownshaft Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: poor Dry Heat Tolerance: very poor Cool Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: moist and well draining Light Requirement: shade to partial sun (eventually full sun) Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: very difficult palm Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: poor choice Availability: very rare