Difference between revisions of "Licuala ramsayi"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

(Created page with "<center>'''Pronunciation''': lih-KWAL-uh RAM-zee-eye <br/> '''Common Name''': Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm </center> '''''Licuala ramsayi''''' is one of the easie...")
 
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'''Common Name''': Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm
 
'''Common Name''': Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm
 
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'''''Licuala ramsayi''''' is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm.  Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception.  But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate.  In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms).  However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies.   
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'''''Licuala ramsayi''''' is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm.  Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception.  But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate.  In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms).  However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies.  Two varieties are described in the literature, with one being the 'type' and the other var. tuckeri, differentiated by having little to no spines along the petioles (so obviously this might be the more popular variety).  Leaves are nearly circular, split randomly and have an ornamental edge as if cut by a pinking shears.  It is a highly ornamental species.   
  
 
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<div style="background: #e5a178; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; margin: 3px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 120%;">Appearance and Biology</div>
 
<div style="background: #e5a178; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; margin: 3px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 120%;">Appearance and Biology</div>
 
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<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
*'''Habit''':
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*'''Habit''': solitary with a crown of 6-10 fan leaves
*'''Height''':
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*'''Height''': 10' estimate
*'''Trunk''':
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*'''Trunk''': single; 3"-4" thick; covered with fibrous weave and retained, unsplit leaf bases
*'''Crownshaft''':
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*'''Crownshaft''': none
*'''Spread''':
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*'''Spread''':  
 
*'''Leaf Description''':
 
*'''Leaf Description''':
 
*'''Petiole/Leaf bases''':
 
*'''Petiole/Leaf bases''':

Revision as of 16:23, 10 August 2015

Pronunciation: lih-KWAL-uh RAM-zee-eye


Common Name: Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm

Licuala ramsayi is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm. Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception. But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate. In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms). However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies. Two varieties are described in the literature, with one being the 'type' and the other var. tuckeri, differentiated by having little to no spines along the petioles (so obviously this might be the more popular variety). Leaves are nearly circular, split randomly and have an ornamental edge as if cut by a pinking shears. It is a highly ornamental species.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 fan leaves
  • Height: 10' estimate
  • Trunk: single; 3"-4" thick; covered with fibrous weave and retained, unsplit leaf bases
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread:
  • Leaf Description:
  • Petiole/Leaf bases:
  • Reproduction:
  • Inflorescence:
  • Fruit:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp:
  • Drought Tolerance:
  • Dry Heat Tolerance:
  • Cool Tolerance:
  • Wind Tolerance:
  • Salt Tolerance:
  • Growth Rate:
  • Soil Preference:
  • Light Requirement:
  • Human Hazards:
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems:
  • Transplants?:
  • Indoor?:
  • Availability: