Palms For California

Pronunciation: RAY-fee-uh fair-uh-NIFF-er-uh

Common Name: Madagascan Raphia Palm; East African Wine Palm

Raphia farinfera was assumed for many years to be too tropical for California, but that has not been found to be the case… though to date (2015) no mature palms exist in California yet (it is a very marginal palm). Though it is not really a 'good' palm for California, it can grow here and many have tried this potentially huge palm out in their gardens. So far, it's huge size potential does not seem to be a reality in California. In tropics, this palm has leaves that grow up to 60' long (longest of all palms). It has surprising cold hardiness, but disappointing cool hardiness… survives frosts better than expected, but tends to decline overtime anyway. Source of Raphia in Africa (leaf fiber, used to create structures, clothing etc.).

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 5-10 feather leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; 12"-16" thick; covered with un-split leaf bases, newer ones with some orange coloration; jet black, stiff fibrous material on trunks Crownshaft: none Spread: 15'-20'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; 6'-10' long; upright and arching; leaflets fairly stiff, though some leaflet droop occurs on old leaves; leaflets armed along edges and midribs with short, pungent spines (more like jagged edges); bright to deep green; rachis orange to yellow-green Petiole/Leaf bases: 1" or none; un-split leaf bases left on trunk for years Reproduction: monoecious; monocarpic (dies after flowering)- unlikely any palm will survive long enough to flower in California Inflorescence: from within leaves; pendulous 3' long or more Fruit: spherical; 3" in diameter; ornamental, geometric pattern; orange-brown when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate to high Cool Tolerance: very low Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: well draining, though somewhat adaptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: sharp leaflet edges Disease or Horticultural Problems: extremely sensitive to long periods of cool temperatures Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare

• 

  San Diego county, California

• 

  San Diego county, California

• 

  Orange county, California, been in ground 4 years

• 

  Ho'Olamuhia Gardens, Oahu, Hawaii

• 

  Hawaii University gardens, Hawaii

• 

  Hawaii University

• 

  Lundkvist estate, Hawaii

• 

  Nong Nooch Tropical gardens, Thailand

• 

  Nong Nooch

• 

  University of Hawaii

• 

  Hawaii

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

  Hawaii

• 

  Hawaiian seed