Difference between revisions of "Hyophorbe verschaffeltii"

Latest revision as of 18:49, 22 September 2016

Pronunciation: HIGH-uh-for-bee ver-shuh-FELT-ee-eye

Common Name: Spindle Palm

Hyophorbe verscheffeltii is one of three species of Hyphorbe grown in California. It is much hardy than the ever popular Bottle Palm (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) but a much easier palm to grow. However, it still is considered a marginal palm in most areas of California except for the nearly frost free zones nearer the coast. The other skinnier cousin, Hyophorbe indica, is the easiest to grow, but Hyophorbe verschaffeltii is probably the most ornamental of the tree, with great crownshaft and petiolar colors, along with a prominently ringed, creamy crownshaft and a unique crownshaft shape (like a spindle).

Appearance and Biology

Habit: single with a crown of 3-6 pinnate leaves
Height: 15'
Trunk: single; 14" thick; prominently ringed; cream colored to grayer in older palms
Crownshaft: 18" tall; grayish yellow-green to pale turquoise and covered with a thin white patina; bottom 1/4 as wide as trunk, but then tapers rapidly to half that diameter for remained of length
Spread: 5'-6'
Leaf Description: pinnate; arching/recurved; upright leaflets arranged in a fairly narrow 'V'; 3'-5' long; gold, thick rachis; leaflets tend to droop more near the tip of the leaf; bright green to yellow-green
Petiole/Leaf bases: almost nonexistent to about 3"; mildly channeled; smooth-edged and unarmed
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 2' long; right below crownshaft; projecting at about a 45 degree angle from crownshaft; cream flowers
Fruit: spherical; 3/4"; orange to red when ripe; contain some oxalates

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 30F
Drought Tolerance: moderate to poor
Dry Heat Tolerance: low
Wind Tolerance: moderate to low
Salt Tolerance: moderate
Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age
Soil Preference: widely adaptable
Light Requirement: filtered light to full sun at coast or excellent microclimate
Human Hazards: mild fruit toxicity- do not ingest or even chew on them
Disease or Horticultural Problems: tends to be a bit yellowy
Transplants?: unknown
Indoor?: unknown
Availability: rare but usually available at some palm nurseries

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltiana K.jpg|Huntington Beach, California
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii vx.jpg|Ventura, California
+File:Hyophorbe verschfelltii nice tall GB.jpg|San Diego county, California
 File:Hyophorbe verschaff Taiwan BGs.jpg|Taiwan
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltia Kona keep out sign.jpg|Hawaii
@@ Line 48: / Line 49: @@
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii tall in yard P shot 2.jpg|Hawaii
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii tall Keep out Kona.jpg|Hawaii
+File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii Fairchild.jpg|Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Miami, Florida
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii.JPG|
 File:Hyophorbe verscheffletiis.JPG|
+File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii nice example Fairchild.jpg|Fairchild Gardens
+File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii row Fairchild.jpg|Fairchild
+File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii yet another nice one Fairchild.jpg|Fairchild Tropical Gardens
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltiis on way to Piercys.jpg|Hawaii
 File:Hyophorbe verschaffeltii leaves LB.jpg|Long Beach, California

Difference between revisions of "Hyophorbe verschaffeltii"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 18:49, 22 September 2016