Palms For California

Pronunciation: rav-uh-NAY-uh zurr-OFF-fill-uh/ zee-ruh-FILL-uh

Common Name:

Ravenea xerophila is an unusual Ravenea but one of the most sought after species for warm and desert gardens of southern California. This palm has a curious, succulent-like root system that, as a seedling, resembles that a cycad, but with maturity, becomes quite extensive, thick but extremely delicate. A nice blue-grey, exotic look for the right climates.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-15 leaves Height: 12' tall estimated (no mature palms in southern California, and may be none for many years) Trunk: 8"; usually with a very dense layer of retained leaf bases (very old palms may have some clean trunk) Crownshaft: none Spread: 8'-10' Leaf Description: pinnate; 10' long; very upright orientation with markedly recurved last 1/3-1/4 of the leaf; sea green to pale blue-green Petiole/Leaf bases: 3' long, nearly a 'V' in cross section, though not as deeply channeled as that; unarmed save for some scurf, but fairly sharp edges; covered with thin layer of powder tomentum giving the appearance of baby blue petioles; petioles appear to shooting out of the ground for the first 15 years or more Reproduction: dioecious Inflorescence: Fruit: Seed:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 24F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: very good Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age and perfect climate Soil Preference: porous but somewhat adaptable, even to clay soils if not sloggy in winter Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: none known Disease or Horticultural Problems: tends to rot if overwatered or sitting in constantly moist soils when cold Transplants?: moderate to poor, depending upon condition of roots (break like glass when moved)- do not water after transplant too often or will rot Indoor?: very poor choice Availability: very rare but occasionally can be found at specialty nurseries- any thing but dinky seedling very pricey