Difference between revisions of "Raphia australis"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor
 
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'''''Raphia australis''''' is a fairly rarely grown palm in California, but it can be an excellent, unique looking specimen for the warmer, nearly frost-free, relatively windless areas of California.  However, this South African palm has so far not survived long enough to make it to maturity in California... yet.  It has a lot of ornamental orange coloration, which contrast nicely with the brilliant green very long leaves, which makes it a stunner of a specimen palm.
 
'''''Raphia australis''''' is a fairly rarely grown palm in California, but it can be an excellent, unique looking specimen for the warmer, nearly frost-free, relatively windless areas of California.  However, this South African palm has so far not survived long enough to make it to maturity in California... yet.  It has a lot of ornamental orange coloration, which contrast nicely with the brilliant green very long leaves, which makes it a stunner of a specimen palm.
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*'''Availability''': very rare, only occasionally becoming available- not much demand
 
*'''Availability''': very rare, only occasionally becoming available- not much demand
 
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File:Raphia australis Palomar.jpg|San Diego county, California
 
File:Raphia australis Palomar.jpg|San Diego county, California

Latest revision as of 21:23, 5 August 2015

Pronunciation: RAY-fee-uh aw-STRAL-iss


Common Name: Raphia Palm, Kosi Palm

Raphia australis is a fairly rarely grown palm in California, but it can be an excellent, unique looking specimen for the warmer, nearly frost-free, relatively windless areas of California. However, this South African palm has so far not survived long enough to make it to maturity in California... yet. It has a lot of ornamental orange coloration, which contrast nicely with the brilliant green very long leaves, which makes it a stunner of a specimen palm.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of about 4-12 leaves
  • Height: 20' estimated
  • Trunk: single; 12" thick; covered with retained leaf bases
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 20'
  • Leaf Description: pinnate; leaflets on two barely offset plants (marginally plumose); stiff; leathery and armed slightly along the midrib; often yellowy in California; bright orange rachis; 15' long; upright to nearly shuttlecock orientation; leaves 'V'-shaped on cross section
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: bright orange fading to dull orange-brown over time; retained on trunk; woody
  • Reproduction: monoecious; monocarpic
  • Inflorescence: terminal (from top of palm among the newest leaves, growing vertically; up to 8' long (estimated- no plants have made to maturity in California... yet)
  • Fruit:
  • Seed:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 30F
  • Drought Tolerance: poor
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: poor
  • Wind Tolerance: poor
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: slow
  • Soil Preference: moist and well draining; rich
  • Light Requirement: full sun
  • Human Hazards: sharp projections on leaves
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: leaves tend to be yellowy, possibly due to lack of nutrients, or chronic cool winters
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: definitely not
  • Availability: very rare, only occasionally becoming available- not much demand


  • San Diego county, California

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii, Lundkvist estate

  • leaf shot

  • leaf bases

  • petiole, Hawaii

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