Palms For California

Pronunciation: DIP-siss Orange Crush

Common Name: Orange Crush Palm

Dypsis 'Orange Crush' is a very popular and ornamental Madagascan palm that STILL has no official species name, though until recently it was given the name Dypsis pilulifera. However, that turned out to be a plumose species which this palm is NOT. But it IS a pretty good species for the warmer and coastal climates of California, developing a nice orange crownshaft that is extremely ornamental in mature palms. Note that not all 'Orange Crush' palms develop the orange crownshaft, though it will not be a big surprise to someday discover these other palms are NOT the same species.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves Height: 20' estimate Trunk: single; 8"; deep green; prominently ringed with narrow whitish bands; trunks slightly flared at base Crownshaft: 18"-24" tall; nearly same diameter as trunk; light to dark orange, fading to pale green near leaf bases Spread: 10' Leaf Description: pinnate; flat; very closely spaced leaflets; leaves upright to barely 45 degrees (fall off long before become horizontal); 10' long or more; deep to bright green; leaves sometimes twist and arch Petiole/Leaf bases: very short petioles; pale green; unarmed; un-split Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 30F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: low Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable, though prefers moist and draining Light Requirement: filtered sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare