Presteoa acuminata var. acuminata

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: pres-TOE-ee-uh ah-coo-min-AHH-tuh var. ah-coo-min-AHH-tuh


Common Name: none

Prestoea acuminata var. acuminata is rarely grown or even attempted in California, but it turns out it does fairly well in some climates in this state despite the lack of success by many with this form of this species. Prestoea acuminata var. montana is a robust, solitary species with fairly decent cold hardiness and mature palms are growing in the state. But the suckering var. acuminata has shown far less cold tolerance and not done well in cultivation in most areas of California. But it turns out the Bay area in San Francisco has microclimates that support the growth of this palm. These are frost -free climates that rarely if ever dip into the freezing ranges, but which also rarely got very hot. This seems to be to the liking of this variety of Prestoea acuminata as several palms are growing in this area, one with several feet of trunk.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: clustering with a crown of 4-6 feather leaves
  • Height: 10' estimate
  • Trunk: multiple; 4" diameter; prominently ringed; olive green to darker brown below
  • Crownshaft: maroon
  • Spread: 8'-10'+
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; medium green; leaves about 5'-6' long
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'-2' long; rounded; unarmed; un-split leaf bases
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence:
  • Fruit:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 33F
  • Drought Tolerance: low
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: low
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: low
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: slow
  • Soil Preference: moist and draining
  • Light Requirement: partial shade to filtered sun
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: does not tolerate cold
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: rare


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