Difference between revisions of "Howea forsteriana"

Latest revision as of 21:46, 1 August 2015

Pronunciation: HOW-ee-uh for-stir-ee-ANN-uh

Common Name: Kentia Palm, Paradise Palm

Howea forsteriana is one of the most commonly grown palms in the US, including southern California, where it not only performs very well as a tall specimen plant and canopy palm, but as a excellent indoor palm as well. These are among some of the most versatile palms one can grow in California. These have a unique, lazy, tropical look with their lax leaflets and irregularly green ringed trunks.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: Solitary with a crown of 16-26 leaves
Height: 40'
Trunk: single; 8" in diameter with a flare/foot at the bottom; green with irregular rings
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 10'-16'
Leaf Description: pinnate; with leaflets lax in mature palms, though less so in juveniles; deep green; leaflets lined with several ridges; 6'-10' long; gently arching away from center
Petiole/Leaf bases: 2' long, smooth and unarmed; unsplit leaf bases-never retained on trunk
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 3' long, pendulous with several closely spaced branches; white flowers
Fruit: 1.5" long, oblong with pointed ends; green to red when ripe
Seed:

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 26F
Drought Tolerance: moderate
Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate to poor
Wind Tolerance: moderate
Salt Tolerance: low
Growth Rate: slow to moderate with age
Soil Preference: widely adaptable
Light Requirement: full sun to full shade
Human Hazards: none
Disease or Horticultural Problems: rare cases of 'leaning Howea syndrome'
Transplants?: somewhat tolerant as adult; easy as juvenile
Indoor?: excellent- possibly the best indoor palm there is
Availability: very common, though large plants still quite pricey

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 '''Common Name''': Kentia Palm, Paradise Palm
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-'''''Howea forsteriana''''' is one of the most commonly grown palms in the US, including southern California, where it not only performs very well as a tall specimen plant and canopy palm, but as a excellent indoor palm as well.
+'''''Howea forsteriana''''' is one of the most commonly grown palms in the US, including southern California, where it not only performs very well as a tall specimen plant and canopy palm, but as a excellent indoor palm as well. These are among some of the most versatile palms one can grow in California. These have a unique, lazy, tropical look with their lax leaflets and irregularly green ringed trunks.
+<center>
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 *'''Availability''': very common, though large plants still quite pricey
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+{{#Widget:AdResBan}}
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 File:Howea Disney 1.JPG|Orange county, California

Difference between revisions of "Howea forsteriana"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 21:46, 1 August 2015