Cyphokentia cerifera

_*SUB CATEGORY PALMS OF NEW CALEDONIA _noeditsection__ <google>CH02</google>

Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.

Cyphokentia cerifera

Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Cyphokentia
Species:	cerifera

Synonyms

Moratia cerifera

Native Continent

Oceania

Morphology

Habit:	Solitary
Leaf type:	Pinnate

Culture

Survivability index

Common names

None.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to New Caledonia, This species is found on the northeast side of the mainland. In rain forests. Substratum: In areas consisting primarily, of deep sedimentary substrate, (shale or mica).

Description

Hight: up to 20 m. with a trunk diameter of 18 cm., crownshaft at maturity, first orange, then turning reddish brown, then covered by a powdery white, waxy coating, with reddish orange beneath. Crown holds between 8 to 10, markedly recurved pinnate leaves, 1 to 1.80 m. long, with a petiole 10-22 cm. long, covered with green and brown scales; sheath from 50 to 95 cm. long, orange or pink to lilac, and covered with a white wax outside, orange inside. Inflorescences arise under leaves, virtually splitting the base of the crownshaft, 1 x 1.5 m. long, a green, or greenish orange color, rather murky, branched and spreading, pendulous after anthesis. Fruit is thick, globose, 11-13 x 12-14 mm., red to black when ripe, seeds 6 x 8 x 6 mm.

Culture

Very slow growing. Reportedly very difficult to germinate. Hardiness: USDA zones, 10A-11.

Comments and Curiosities

External Links

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric. All information translated from the French, edric.

IMAGE GALLERY
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii
On Left - Floribunda Palms, Hawaii
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Touho, New Caledonia.
Location: Touho, New Caledonia.
Location: Touho, New Caledonia.
Location: Touho, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia.
Location: Col d'Amos, New Caledonia. Photo by Scott Zona, edric.
Location: Mt Panié, New Caledonia.
Photo by pete, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, edric.
Photo by pete, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, edric.
Photo by pete, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, edric.
Photo by pete, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, edric.
Photo by pete, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, edric.
C. cerifera left, C. macrostachya right, Mt. Warning Caldera, NSW, 05/2011, photo by Pete, edric.
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii, photo by BGL, edric.
New Caledonia, photo by Ben, edric.
New Caledonia, photo by Ben, edric.
New Caledonia, photo by Ben, edric.
New Caledonia, photo by Ben, edric.