Palms For California

Pronunciation: kam-uh-DOOR-ee-uh brack-ee-POE-duh

Common Name: none

Chamaedorea brachypoda has been one of the Chamaedoreas grown in California for many decades, but has fallen out of favor due to the availability of better suited palms of similar shape and behavior. However, if managed well, this is still an attractive and interesting clustering, low growing, spreading bifid species for shady gardens in California.

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with a crown of 2-3 bifid leaves per stem Height: 4' Trunk: multiple; 3/16"-1/4" thick; either straight or angling a bit after each ring; pale green to medium green; nodes wider than rest of stem Crownshaft: 2" dark green; same diameter as stem Spread: 3'-10'+ Leaf Description: pinnate/bifid; sides not parallel but at nearly a 90 degree angle; leaves divided about half their length; 1' long; ridged; medium to pale or yellow-green; leaf thickness relatively thin compared to many other bifid Chamaedoreas growing in California Petiole/Leaf bases: 2"-4"; unarmed; light green Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: 6"; branched; from below leaves Fruit: 1/3"; ovoid; black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: rich though adaptable Light Requirement: shade to filtered light- fairly intolerant of full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: often nitrogen deficient Transplants?: good Indoor?: probably OK Availability: very rare