Palms For California

Pronunciation: luh-TAHN-ya lawn-tare-ROYD-eez

Common Name: Red Latan Palm

Latania lontaroides is a fairly marginal palm for California, but some have managed to keep one going for many years. So far there are no mature palms in California yet, and this species, more than the other two, seems to be holding on to its juvenile colors longer, making it one of the more striking and colorful fan palms one can try growing in California. Eventually, presumably, ALL Latanias will become blue-greyish as they tend to in tropical climates (in about a 10th the time) once they mature. This palm is only found naturally on the Mascarene island of La Reunion, a very tropical climate in the Indian Ocean.

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 3-6 fan leaves Height: est. 10' Trunk: single; 7" diameter; closely ringed, though retained leaf bases commonly retained for many years in California Crownshaft: none Spread: 10' estimate Leaf Description: mildly costapalmate (though completely palmate in its juvenile form); bright lime green with reddish highlights; 6'-8' long; Petiole/Leaf bases: unarmed; flat on top and curved beneath; 3'-4' long; often brilliantly colored red to vermillion, becoming darker red to reddish green with age; retained leaf bases on upper trunk; split leaf bases Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 31F Drought Tolerance: moderate Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Cool Tolerance: very low Wind Tolerance: low Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: filtered sun to partial sun, except perhaps full sun near the coast Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown Availability: rare