Latania lontaroides

Latania (lah-tah-NEE-ah) lontaroides (lohn-tah-roh-EE-dehz)
In Habitat, Reunion Island - Photo: PADRE Jean François.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Latania (lah-tah-NEE-ah) Species: lontaroides (lohn-tah-roh-EE-dehz)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Costapalmate Height: 15m
Culture
Sun exposure: Sun Watering: Dry
Survivability index
MSI #3B
Common names
Red latan palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Latania lontaroides or red latan palm is a palm tree that originated in the Mascarene archipelago but is now found only on the island of La Réunion, where its habitat is also shrinking.

In Habitat, La Réunion Island - Photo: PADRE Jean François.

Description

The red palm latan can reach 12 m height but grows quite slowly. The stipe is gray, smooth and slightly swollen at the base. It measures up to 25 cm in diameter and exhibits rings which are the scars of fallen leaves. The leaves are fan shaped, red with red petiole the first years, later green. The edges of the leaf and the main leaf veins are finely toothed. The leaves are stiff and worn by a petiole of 1-1.5 m long. They form a crown of 5-6 m in diameter.

Culture

Sunny, moist, but well drained position.

Comments and Curiosities

Latania is a genus of 3 species, native to the Mascarene Islands. They have stiff fan shaped leaves, giving them a unique appearance, and they make excellent pot plants when young. They are easy and satisfying to grow, not fussy and will flourish in a wide range of frost-free, warmer climates. The tree species are easily distinguishable especially when young by the colour of the leafstalks for which they are named. Latania lontaroides has spectacular reddish leaves and red leafstalks when young. (RPS.com)