Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss press-toe-nee-AH-nuh

Common Name: Big Curly Palm

Dypsis prestoniana has been growing in California for nearly 20 years now, but originally under the name Dypsis 'Big Curly', and only a few lucky individuals had this palm. Now, thanks to the efforts of those growing palms professionally (eg. Jeff Marcus), this palm is now much easier to obtain. And it is a wonderful, massive palm for Californians, with many trunking palms already growing throughout the state. This is one of the fastest growing of the Dypsis species in California, and a very ornamental one as well.

Synonyms: Dypsis 'Big Curly'

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-10 plumose leaves Height: 40' estimate Trunk: single; 12" thick; prominently and widely ringed with alternating orange-brown (the rings) and lime green covered with white powder (the internodes) Crownshaft: incomplete; 2' tall; angular with a rounded edge at the 'corner'; covered with orange-brown scales and white powder, wearing away to a lime green beneath; sticking out somewhat from trunk below, but only at point of angle (does not cover at least 2/3 of the circumference) Spread: 25'-30' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose with only a slight variation in leaflet direction (decreasing with age); plumose effect also increased by leaves growing along rachis in clusters of 2 (usually, but sometimes 3 to 4), with leaflets growing in different directions (away from trunk to towards trunk); leaves growing in a tristichous pattern (like a Triangle Palm); leaves arched/recurved distally only; 10'-15' long; lime green to dark green; leaflets upright in a narrow 'V'; leaflets arching distally (more pronounced in older leaves and in younger plants- hence the name 'Big Curley') Petiole/Leaf bases: 6" to very short or non-existent; thick, channeled; edges sharp; unarmed; un-split Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 5'-6' long; arching and pendulous; highly branched; from within leaves Fruit: ovoid; 1/2" long; orange when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: falling leaves may be hazardous under taller palms Disease or Horticultural Problems: chlorosis sometimes a problem in certain plants Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare