Palms For California

Pronunciation: ken-tee-OPP-siss mag-NIFF-ih-kuh

Common Name: none

Kentiopsis magnifica is the most difficult of the Kentiopsis to grow in California. It does not seem exceptionally cold sensitive, but it struggles mostly due to its incredibly slow progress making it very difficult for growers to get it up to a size in which it is not so vulnerable to the elements. It is a beautiful palm in its native New Caledonia where it is among the tallest palms on the island. It has a nice new red leaf, creamy crown shaft and nearly perfectly flat, pinnate leaves with very closely spaced, long leaflets. Sadly it may never reach adulthood in California unless grown in a very protected environment. However there are some palms with trunk on them in Southern California so it may happen yet.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves Height: 15' estimate (grows to 80' in New Caledonia) Trunk: single; 8" in diameter; ringed Crownshaft: 2' tall; creamy to greyish coloration; slightly wider than stem Spread: 8'-10' Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; closely spaced, long, straight leaflets; deep green coloration; about 6'-8' long; new leaf maroon to red Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"-12" long; roundish; unarmed; un-split at base Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 1'; broom-like; highly branched spreading in all directions Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 31F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: low Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age Soil Preference: moist and well draining Light Requirement: filtered light Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: struggles in most environments Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare