Palms For California

Pronunciation: kam-uh-DOOR-ee-uh oar-ee-oh-FILE-uh

Common Name: none

Chamaedorea oreophila is one of the best Chamaedoreas for southern California, tolerating some considerable frost and a surprising amount of sun. It looks a bit like a sturdy Chamaedorea elegans, but is larger and more leather-leaved, with a 'vase-like' crown of leaves.

Synonym: Chamaedorea monostachys

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves Height: 10' Trunk: single; 3/4"-1" thick; closely ringed and green to yellow-green Crownshaft: incomplete, with yellow lines on it that denote the middle of the leaf sheath; about 6" long and green, larger than diameter of stem Spread: 4' Leaf Description: pinnate; 3' long; upright to nearly horizontal (then falls off); flat to slightly 'Vd' on cross section; leaflets relatively thick and leathery Petiole/Leaf bases: 3"; channeled; pale green, unarmed; create a partial/incomplete crownshaft Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: unbranched; multiple (often) from within leaf bases; 3'-4' long projecting beyond leaves normally; male flowers on a curving, worm-like inflorescence Fruit: greenish yellow turning to bright red when ripe; 1/3"; spherical

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 26F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: moderate to poor Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: widely adaptable Light Requirement: full sun to shade Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: fairly tolerant Indoor?: may be a good choice Availability: rare but often available from palm specialty nurseries