Palms For California

Pronunciation: kuh-lip-truh-NO-muh ploo-mare-ee-AHN-uh

Common Name:

Calyptronoma plumeriana is a very rare but surviving palm for southern California. In the right climate and soil it appears this palm does quite well here and at least one with several feet of trunk is growing well. This is a Cuban palm, and like most Cuban palms, seems to grow pretty slow here. It is a medium-sized feather palm with nice pendant leaflets (on lower leaves).

Synonym: Calyptronoma dulcis

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of about 10-15 feather leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; closely ringed, brown trunk; 8" thick Crownshaft: none Spread: 10'-12' Leaf Description: pinnate; flat to 'V' shaped on cross section; lower leaves have somewhat pendant leaflets; leaves very upright and rarely make it to 45 degrees before leaves die or fall off Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; yellow-green; very mildly channeled; unsplit and unarmed Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: from within leaf crown; multi branched on long peduncle; flowers white Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: well draining Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unlikely Availability: very rare- only occasionally seen on specialty palm lists