Pronunciation: pleck-toe-COE-mee-uh him-MAL-ee-ANN-uh
Common Name:
Plectocomia himalyana is one of the most ornamental and cold hardy of the Rattan Palms that have been grown in California. Cold hardiness should not be a big surprise as it is native to the Himalayan mountains at an elevation of over 8000 feet. Unfortunately it is a rather large palm and often outgrows its location and some growers end up removing it because it is more trouble than its worth. But in the right location, it can an amazing palm, and always a conversation starter. It is an intensely spiny palm, so it should be planted some distance from walkways.
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Appearance and Biology
- Habit: Clustering or solitary climbing/ vining palm, with hundreds of leaves spread sparsely long its many branches
- Height: up to 60'+ estimated
- Trunk: single or multiple trunks; covered with ornamental array of stout, radiating spines at each growth ring; 4" thick; green to coppery brown; tall, vining/draping (dependent upon surrounding structures to hold it up- cannot support its own weight)
- Crownshaft: none
- Spread: 25'-40' depending upon its orientation in the garden
- Leaf Description: pinnate/plumose; well spaced clusters of lanceolote leaflets along very thin rachis; up to 15' long; drooping or hanging on surrounding structures; leaflets dark green, short (1' long) and have ridges; rachis armed with short, stout, sharp spines; many leaves retained along nearly entire length of stem
- Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"-8" long, armed with short, stout, sharp spines in irregularly spaced pattern; leaf bases unsplit
- Reproduction: dioecious
- Inflorescence: multibranched with closely spaced pendant flowers; 10'-15' long
- Fruit:
- Seed:
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Horticultural Characteristics
- Minimum Temp: 26F
- Drought Tolerance: unknown but likely to be poor
- Dry Heat Tolerance: unknown but probably poor
- Wind Tolerance: poor
- Salt Tolerance: unknown
- Growth Rate: moderate
- Soil Preference: rich, moist soil
- Light Requirement: partial sun to full shade
- Human Hazards: very spiny, dangerous palm
- Disease or Horticultural Problems: not known
- Transplants?: unknown
- Indoor?: no
- Availability: very rare- only occasionally available even from specialty nurseries
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