Palms For California

Pronunciation: kahm-uh-DOOR-ee-eye see-FRITZ-ee-eye

Common Name: Bamboo Palm; Reed Palm

Chamaedorea seifrizii is a very commonly grown palm throughout the world both indoors and out, and is a very widely sold and propagated species. It may be one of the most common indoor palms in California if not the entire US. It is a compact, multi stemmed species with very straight, bamboo-like stems. This is an excellent palm for beginners as well as a great specimen palm from smaller areas of a very shady garden or as a narrow visual screen. It is a highly variable species, though varies primarily due to its living conditions.

Synonym: Chamaedorea erumpens

Appearance and Biology Habit: clustering with crowns of 5-8 feather leaves Height: 8'-10' Trunk: multiple; 3/4" thick; very straight; tightly packed; deep green; ringed with rings about same diameter as rest of stem; rings fairly widely spaced Crownshaft: 6" tall; deep green; same diameter as stem Spread: 3'-5'+ Leaf Description: pinnate; upright to arching; sometimes flat, sometimes in a 'V' with upright leaflets; leaflets narrow, though some forms ('erumpens') have more ovoid leaflets; 2'-3' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"; thin; unarmed Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: well below leaves, sometimes many rings down; 6"; upright, often hugging stem; branched; yellow flowers Fruit: 1/4" diameter; spherical; black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 27F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: good Cool Tolerance: excellent Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: low Growth Rate: slow to moderate Soil Preference: widely adaptable Light Requirement: shade to partial sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: mealy bugs and spider mites indoors (outdoors, too, but less of a problem) Transplants?: highly tolerant Indoor?: excellent Availability: common