Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss species buh-JOE-fuh

Common Name: none

Dypsis sp. 'Bejofa' is included here because, though fairly marginal, some growers have been growing this as yet unclassified plant in California. The name refers to its originally being sold and grown as Dypsis bejofo, a described large palm from Madagascar with plumose leaves and a very closely ringed trunk. This palm, however, is and extremely robust palm, 'less' plumose than the 'real thing', and has distinctively reddish-brown petioles, crownshaft and rings, the latter two covered with varying thicknesses of waxy white coloration. It is a striking and highly ornamental palm, and soon there should be flowering palms in Hawaii. Then (we hope) it will only be a matter of time until it becomes officially described. There is and has been quite a bit of confusion about this palm and the 'real' Dypsis bejofo, particularly as they are somewhat similar palms at least in terms of size.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 5-6 feather leaves Height: estimate 20' Trunk: single; 12" thick; widely ringed with upper rings either whitish or red-brown Crownshaft: barely complete to incomplete; 1' tall; orange to red-brown with thick layer of white wax over parts of it Spread: 10' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose with leaflets in two distinct planes, sometimes barely offset; leaflets wide and bright to lime green; 6'-10' long; leaves very upright in orientation (rarely even fall to 45 degrees) Petiole/Leaf bases: 6"-24" (longer when younger); bright orange to olive green, often covered with thin layer of brownish fuzz; wide; deeply channeled; unarmed, but sharp edged; un-split bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 32F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: low Cool Tolerance: poor Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: moist and acidic, but somewhat adaptable Light Requirement: partial to full sun Human Hazards: sharp petiolar blades Disease or Horticultural Problems: marginal palm Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare