Chuniophoenix humilis

Chuniophoenix (choo-nee-oh-FEE-niks) humilis (hoo-MIHL-iss)
Clayton York's Garden, Utopia Palms & Cycads, Queensland, Australia.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Chuniophoenix (choo-nee-oh-FEE-niks) Species: humilis (hoo-MIHL-iss)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Costapalmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
ai qiong zong (China)

Habitat and Distribution

Hainan Island, China. Lowland rain forests.

Searle Brothers Nusery Florida. At the end of Jeff's driveway. Photo by Ryan D. Gallivan.

Description

Stems clustered, to 2 m tall, 1-2 cm in diam., covered with persistent leaf sheaths. Leaf sheaths open, not split at bases; petioles 25-40 cm; blades divided into 4-7 segments, these 25-35 × 3-7 cm, broad and hooded. Inflorescences to 0.4 m, erect among leaves, becoming pendulous in fruit; rachillae 1-4, 15-20 cm; flowers borne in small groups; petals yellowish. Fruits red, globose, to 1.6 cm in diam.

Material from Vietnam is now treated as a distinct species; Chuniophoenix nana Burret (see Henderson, Palms S. Asia, 98. 2009). It differs by the narrower, un-hooded leaflets.

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: Species name: From the Latin; 'lowest' or 'smallest'.