Difference between revisions of "Pseudophoenix sargentii"

Read (1968, 1969) recognized several infraspecific taxa whereas a recent field guide (Henderson et al. 1995) recognize only one. Read himself (as quoted in Lippencott 1992) suggested that the infraspecific taxa do not deserve formal taxonomic rank, a suggestion endorsed here. The taxonomic disposition of this, the most widespread taxon, is not uncontroversial. Some populations from small islands (Navassa, Gonâve, Saona) were previously recognized at some taxonomic rank, e.g., Pseudophoenix navassana, Pseudophoenix gracilis, Pseudophoenix saonae. Indeed these populations share a morphological trait – slightly larger fruits and seeds – that allow them to be distinguished from other populations of P. sargentii. Recognizing each island population as a distinct taxon seems misleading, as specimens cannot be readily distinguished from one another without knowledge of their geographic origin. Placing all of the populations in a single taxon is equally unsatisfactory, as such an action would imply that these island populations share a single common ancestor. In fact, these island populations are likely to have polytypic origins. The characters of the inflorescence posture and length, along with primary bract length relative to the peduncle length, were employed by Read (1968, 1969). While there is certainly variation in these characters, the variation appears to have no geographic or population base. One population that I examined on Whale Key, Bahamas, had palms in which the inflorescence was either erect, horizontal or pendulous, and one-third to onehalf as long as the leaves and in which the primary bract was one-half the length of the peduncle. Although this population corresponds to Read’s Pseudophoenix sargentii ssp. saonae var. saonae, the bract length character alone corresponds to Read’s P. sargentii ssp. sargentii. Quero (1981) noted similar difficulties in applying Read’s taxonomic criteria to populations in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. (S. Zona. 2002)/Palmweb.

When the fruit is mature it is bright red, turning an average looking palm into a striking one. Their native (Florida) habitat is an island off the coast South of Miami but there historic distribution was even more widespread. They were found in the Keys south of the mainland too. All these palms were lost due to wild collecting and development. Some homes still have grand old specimens in their yards in the Keys. Another interesting fact is that they are not closely related to any other palm (except the other species). They were thought to be related to Wax palms from South America but an inspection of their genes found hundreds of matched pairs of chromosomes, something rare in both the palnt and animal kingdoms! When young, the leaves are disticate (in one plane) and another unusual thing about the Cherry Palm is that they hold one two or three seeds in one fruit. And last but not least they are about as salt and wind toleant as any palm. They can be found with their roots In salt water in the Bahamas. These plants are very stunted and produce fruit at only a few feet tall. They may have only a foot of wood and be skinny as 2-3 inches! & nbsp." (Ken Johnson)

"Native US species (southern tip of Florida) and into the Caribbean. Known for it's powdery, ornamentally ringed and swollen trunk and cherry-like fruit in the east coast, here in southern California it is known mostly for being one of the slowest growing palms there are. Not a problem growing on in Florida, where it is usually warm, night and day. CAn handle some frost, but hates prolonged cool. Those who have had luck with it here in So Cal have exceptionally mild weather, or are just amazing palm growers. I have had several die on me in the ground, but they do fairly well in pots. Palm grows stiff, but not spikey, fronds, and has a unique look to it... the powdery blue-green coloration is very attractive and it is a really show stopper here in California. In Hawaii, this palm grows slow (not compared to here) but spindly-doesn't get the fat trunk like it does in Florida- not sure why. (Geoff Stein)

"Rather slow growing but worth it. I have 6 sargentii's,2 ekmanii's,1 lediniana,and 1 vinifera in the ground in Mesa,Arizona.The plants seem to thrive under our conditions if a little protection to the trunk can be provided from direct sun.(Leaves take the sun fine but trunks sunburn in direct sunlight) All the plants only grow 1 new frond per year.The largest is 6 ft tall overall with a 6 inch dia. base." (Scott - Aztropic)

This rare palm is found in coastal areas of the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Hispaniola, a small area of Cuba, and very eastern Mexico. It has a slightly swollen, waxy, ringed trunk; a waxy crownshaft; and arching, dark grey-green, very leathery, pinnate leaves. The Buccaneer palm grows very slowly, but, because of its extreme coastal habitat, it will grow in almost any well-drained soil and is one of the most salt and wind tolerant of all palms, i.e. ideally suited for coastal planting. It will do well in both warm temperate and tropical climates. Unfortunately, it is now endangered in most of its native habitat and also is rare in cultivation. Even small plants fetch high prices in the nursery trade, and it is hoped that this fabulous and unusual palm will be a little more commonly cultivated in the future with the high-quality seeds we now have available in good quantities and on a regular basis. (RPS.com)

The ones in the photos with much wider spaced rings, and void, or nearly void of a swollen trunk, are more than likely all var. navassana, which are considerably faster growing as well.