Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix crinita"

Latest revision as of 13:53, 9 February 2023

Pronunciation: uh-can-tuh-FEE-nix kri-NEE-tuh

Acanthophoenix crinita is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar. Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations. Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves
Height: 15-20 feet
Trunk: clean; light tan to white, prominently ringed with long black spines when younger, disappearing with age; 'foot' at base; 4"-6" thick
Crownshaft: brown and intensely spiny in younger palms (no old palms in southern California, yet)' about same width as trunk
Spread: 8'-10'
Leaf Shape: 6 feet long, flat with closely spaced leaflets
Petiole: short and spiny when young
Foliage: medium bright green and somewhat spiny in younger plants
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: white to pinkish-orange flowers
Fruit: 6mm and black when mature
Seed: 4mm spherical

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 28F
Drought Tolerance: poor
Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate if protected from sun
Cool Tolerance: moderate
Wind Tolerance: mod to poor
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow but picks up a bit with age
Soil Preference: rich and well draining, but somewhat tolerant of clay soils
Light Requirement: filtered light when young to half day sun as adult (even inland)
Human Hazards: very spiny palm until mature (some spines seem to remain)
Disease or Horticultural Problems: unknown
Indoor?: very poor choice of indoor palm due to spines

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-'''''Acanthophoenix crinita''''' is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.  Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations.  Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.
+'''''Acanthophoenix crinita''''' is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.  Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations.  Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.
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 File:Acanthophoenix 1 levine.JPG|Vista, California

Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix crinita"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 13:53, 9 February 2023