Category:CHAMAEDOREA

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Chamadorea is one of the largest palm genera. It has well more than 100 species, which are very diverse, though not as diverse as the super-genus Dypsis. The Greek is translated to mean “gift on the ground” - possibly referring to the pleasant surprise of finding such a gem at your feet.

All of the Chamadoreas have the following in common: (a) all are dioecious; (b) all are pinnate; (c) all are native to the so-called "New World" in Latin America, namely Mexico south to Peru and Brazil. All are also relatively small plants, with the majority maturing at under 10 feet (3.3. m) in height, with slender trunks, no more than 4" (10 cm) in diameter.

Some have a sigle-stemmed growth habit, others sucker very freely.

The overwhelming majority prefer shaded conditions (with a few noteworthy exceptions).

While many species are "hothouse flowers" requiring high heat and humidity, others are amazingly tough, surviving temperatures well below freezing (22 F or lower for C. radicalis),and death-camp-like neglect to basic needs.

Though all species are technically pinnate, many (e.g., C. ernest-augustii, metallica, fragrans, etc.) have bifid (two-lobed) adult leaves.

Some species are among the most widely grown houseplants on earth, including C. radicalis, metallica, elegans, etc.)

Some produce edible parts, including the flowering structures on C. tepijilote.