Palms For California

Pronunciation: sigh-foe-FEE-nix AL-buh

Common Name: White Crownshaft Palm

Cyphophoenix alba is a very rare palm in California and a fairly marginal one as well. However, near the coast where temps are more moderate (not too high, not too low) several have grown this palm to trunking size. It is a very colorful palm from New Caledonia, but a very slow growing one as well. It initially has a dark fuzzy, red-brown crownshaft which seems odd as its common name (not sure that is 'official') is white crownshaft palm… it does eventually form a white tomentum over parts of the crownshaft (starting at the bottom edge) and flower spathes, and the trunk eventually turns white as well. For many dozens of years it was known as Veillonia alba, but has be reassigned to Cyphophoenix early this century.

Synonym: Veillonia alba

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; 5"-6" thick; closely ringed with green and white (white internodes can be as wide as green parts of trunk), gradually fading to white with rings less obvious from far away Crownshaft: 1' tall; when short- red fuzzy, but when older, red coloration hidden mostly beneath a whitish waxy tomentum; Spread: 10'-12' Leaf Description: pinnate; flat to slightly 'V' with upright to horizontally oriented leaflets; dark green; 6'-8' long; leaflets 1" wide and closely spaced together Petiole/Leaf bases: 6" long; medium green; unarmed Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 1' long; nearly vertical, within pure white torpedo-shaped spathes, opening and then yellow and arching/pendent Fruit: ovoid; 1/2" long; brownish when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: low Cool Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow Soil Preference: moist, well draining and acidic Light Requirement: shade to filtered light or even partial sun near coast Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: touchy palm Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare