Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss mar-oh-JAY-zee-eye/mar-oh-JAY-zheye

Common Name: Madagascan Foxtail Palm

Dypsis marojejyi is one of the 'holy grails' of palms and was extremely rare some 10 years ago. Now, however, it is becoming fairly commonly available as palms in Hawaii have been setting seeds for some time and seedlings are being shipped in. So far, no adult palms exist in the mainland yet, but perhaps that is in the near future. It has turned out to be a palm that grows in the better climates of California, though with a bit of protection from the sun and frost. Longer periods of intense heat also seem to be a problem. It certainly has developed a reputation for being a rather 'tricky' species to grow. However, It is one of the more spectacularly palms in terms of symmetry and color and could eventually become one of the most popular species in 'warm California'. Plants in Hawaii have been flowering at a very short height (just a foot of trunk or more) making some question whether this palm is actually Dypsis coursii, a similar looking palm in the leaf but a much shorter, stouter species from the same area of Madagascar.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 plumose leaves Height: 10' estimate Trunk: single; 3"-4" thick; closely ringed; red-brown Crownshaft: none Spread: 6'-8' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; leaflets on 6 planes; very symmetrical; leaflets arranged along rachis in clusters of 6-8 leaflets ; leaflets 6" long with acute bend near tip; 4' long; dark green and leathery; new leaves a coppery maroon; rachis of leaves remains a reddish brown for a few months before turning green; leaves arch gracefully Petiole/Leaf bases: 8"-12" long; unarmed; un-split bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: from within leaves; 4' long; branched to two orders; flower spike upright and fuzzy red-brown Fruit: 1" long; oblong; pale yellow-green

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: unknown Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: filtered to partial sun, eventually full sun in coastal climates Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare