Palms For California

Pronunciation: lih-KWAL-uh RAM-zee-eye

Common Name: Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm

Licuala ramsayi is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm. Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception. But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate. In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms). However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies. Two varieties are described in the literature, with one being the 'type' and the other var. tuckeri, differentiated by having little to no spines along the petioles (so obviously this might be the more popular variety). Leaves are nearly circular, split randomly and have an ornamental edge as if cut by a pinking shears. It is a highly ornamental species.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-8 fan leaves Height: 10' estimate Trunk: single; 3"-4" thick; covered with fibrous weave and retained, unsplit leaf bases Crownshaft: none Spread: 4'-5' Leaf Description: palmate; nearly circular; some splits down to petiole; leaf margins 'cut' regularly at each leaflet; pleated pattern of leaflets; 3' long; yellow-green to light green Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'-2'; bright green; thin and flattish; armed with small teeth, OR unarmed/minimally armed in variety tuckeri; un-split; often retained on trunk for much of height of plant Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 3' long; arching from within leaves mostly horizontal to pendulous; highly branched Fruit: spherical; bright red-orange; 1/3" in diameter

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 27F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: low to moderate Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age Soil Preference: moist and well draining, but adaptable otherwise Light Requirement: shade to partial near coast Human Hazards: mild petiolar hazard in 'type' variety Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: fair Availability: rare