Palms For California

Pronunciation: HIGH-fay-nee core-ee-AY-see-uh

Common Name: Ilala Palm, Doum Palm

Hyphaene coriacea is a very exotic and unusual looking African palm that is very well suited for landscaping in the warmer (even hot) areas of southern California. This is probably one of the palms for sunny areas in the low desert communities where frosts are minimal. Survives in warm coastal climates but rarely looks as healthy. Actually performs better in inland, more marginal climates than the 'ideal' moderate climates along the coast. Large palms are very ornamental and highly prized. Relative of the Bismarckia palm, which it somewhat resembles though with multiple trunks. Synonyms: crinita, natalensis, schatan

Appearance and Biology Habit: multistemmed with a broad canopy of about 15-20 extremely costapalmate leaves Height: 12' trunk height Trunk: 'branching' at ground level (always starts as a single trunked palm, but then dichotomizes after a few years)- 2-4 trunks; usually arching with retained leaves or leaf bases; 12" thick Spread: 10'-15' + Leaf Shape and color: varies from pale blue-green to sea green or dull green; markedly costapalmate with leaf tips nearly touching petiole creating a full circle; leaves about 4'-5' long; stiff, waxy consistency Petiole: 3'-5' long, deeply channeled, heavily armed with large, hooked, blackish teeth; petioles often multicolored and covered with some scurf; leaf bases very wide and split where attached to trunk Reproduction: dioecious; germinated seeds send down a long radicle so needs to be grown early on in deep pots Inflorescence: multibrached, thick about 4' long Fruit: red-brown to tan irregularly shaped (almost like a sunken or lumpy pear) about 3" in diameter; edible Seed: 2" and spherical, brown and very hard (used for carvings)

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 28F, though older plants will tolerate temps down to 25 with moderate leaf damage; note that defoliated plants sometimes make new leaves if protected from fungal infection Drought Tolerance: excellent once established (2-3 years) Dry Heat Tolerance: excellent Wind Tolerance: good Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: slow, picking up pace a bit with age Soil Preference: sandy or very well draining, though can adapt to some clay soils Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: petiolar dangers (hooks) when being trimmed Disease or Horticultural Problems: none reported Transplants?: difficult to transplant, but possible if very large rootball taken with minimal root disturbance Indoor?: very poor choice due to size and extremely high light requirements Availability: rare but readily available from most palm specialty nurseries- most available of the Hyphaene species