Syagrus pseudococos

Pronunciation: sye-AG-russ SUE-doe-coe-cuss

Common Name: Coco Verde

Syagrus pseudococos is a marginal species that has been grown well by some in frost free zones, but most palms tend to konk out before they reach maturity. It is an attractive palm, but looks too much like a skinny Queen Palm to be heavily sought after by many palm enthusiasts. The fruits are relatively huge for a California grown palm, though rarely does viable fruiting occur in California.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a 8-12 plumose leaves
Height: 50'
Trunk: single; 10" in diameter; top green and prominently though irregularly ringed; lower trunk a very pale tan with barely noticeable rings
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 12'-14'
Leaf Description: pinnate/plumose; leaflets narrow and arched; light green to medium green; 8'-10' long; arching
Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'; unarmed; flat on top; whitish
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence:
Fruit: large, yellow when ripe, nearly 3" long; ovoid

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 32F
Drought Tolerance: moderate
Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
Cool Tolerance: poor
Wind Tolerance: moderate
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow to moderate
Soil Preference: well draining
Light Requirement: full sun
Human Hazards: none
Disease or Horticultural Problems: temperamental
Transplants?: unknown
Indoor?: unlikely would do well
Availability: moderately rare

nicely grown palm in Escondido, California in the estate of Gary Levine
growing in southern California
another shot of Levine's palm in Escondido
growing in San Diego county, California
Pauleen Sullivan palm, Hawaii
Hawaii
collection of Jeff Marcus, Hawaii
growing in the Pauleen Sullivan collection, Hawaii
Huntington Beach palm, California
immature fruits, California, Levine garden
flower spathe on Huntington Beach palm, California
base of California-grown palm

Syagrus pseudococos

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor