Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix rubra"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
<center>'''Pronunciation''': uh-can-thuh-FEE-nix ROO-bruh
 
<center>'''Pronunciation''': uh-can-thuh-FEE-nix ROO-bruh
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
−
'''Common Name''': Barbel Palm
+
'''Common Name''': Barbel Palm; Red Palm
 
</center>
 
</center>
−
'''''Acanthophoenix rubra''''' is a solitary pinnate palm from the Mauritius and Reunion Islands, south of India and east of Madagascar (about same latitude) that has some surprising cold hardiness, though is still a marginal palm for most of southern California- does not seem to tolerate long periods of cool very well. No mature palms in So Cal, but it is conceivable it could happen.  Less colorful Acanthophoenix crinita much better choice for southern California. Very ornamental palm in tropics where rust coloration of crownshaft is unique.
+
'''''Acanthophoenix rubra''''' is a solitary pinnate palm from the Mauritius and Reunion Islands, south of India and east of Madagascar (about same latitude) that has some surprising cold hardiness, though is still a marginal palm for most of California- does not seem to tolerate long periods of cool very well. No mature palms in California, but it is conceivable it could happen.  Less colorful ''Acanthophoenix crinita'' much better choice for California. Very ornamental palm in tropics where rust coloration of crownshaft is unique.
−
 
+
<center>
 
{| colspan="2" style="background: #FCFCFC; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;" |
 
{| colspan="2" style="background: #FCFCFC; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;" |
 
| style="width: 50%; background: #f8e8df; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;" |
 
| style="width: 50%; background: #f8e8df; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;" |
 
<div style="background: #e5a178; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; margin: 3px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 120%;">Appearance and Biology</div>
 
<div style="background: #e5a178; border: 1px solid black; padding: 5px; margin: 3px; font-weight: bold; text-align: center; font-size: 120%;">Appearance and Biology</div>
 
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
 
<div style="padding-left: 1em;">
−
*'''Habit''': solitary
+
*'''Habit''': solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves
 
*'''Height''': 10 feet (60 feet possible in the tropics)
 
*'''Height''': 10 feet (60 feet possible in the tropics)
 
*'''Trunk''': tan, clean, initially spiny but losing spines with age; 4"+  thick
 
*'''Trunk''': tan, clean, initially spiny but losing spines with age; 4"+  thick
Line 27: Line 27:
 
*'''Drought Tolerance''':  poor
 
*'''Drought Tolerance''':  poor
 
*'''Dry Heat Tolerance''': very poor
 
*'''Dry Heat Tolerance''': very poor
 +
*'''Cool Tolerance''': moderate to poor
 
*'''Wind Tolerance''': poor unless humid
 
*'''Wind Tolerance''': poor unless humid
 
*'''Salt Tolerance''': unknown
 
*'''Salt Tolerance''': unknown
Line 36: Line 37:
 
*'''Indoor?''': very poor choice for indoor palm due to safety hazards
 
*'''Indoor?''': very poor choice for indoor palm due to safety hazards
 
|}
 
|}
 +
{{#Widget:AdResBan}}
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
file:photo.jpg|Description
+
File:Acanthophoenix rubra Morgan.jpg|San Diego County
−
file:photo.jpg|Description
+
File:Acanthophoenix rubra Ha.JPG|San Diego County
 +
File:Acanthophoenix rubra crown.JPG|San Diego County
 +
File:Acanthophoenix rubra JM.jpg|Hawaii
 +
File:Acanthophoenic rubra closer.jpg|Hawaii
 +
File:Acanthophoenix rubras.JPG|Hawaii
 +
File:Acanthophoenix  rubra 1.JPG|Hawaii
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
[[Category: Acanthophoenix]]

Latest revision as of 23:58, 30 July 2015

Pronunciation: uh-can-thuh-FEE-nix ROO-bruh


Common Name: Barbel Palm; Red Palm

Acanthophoenix rubra is a solitary pinnate palm from the Mauritius and Reunion Islands, south of India and east of Madagascar (about same latitude) that has some surprising cold hardiness, though is still a marginal palm for most of California- does not seem to tolerate long periods of cool very well. No mature palms in California, but it is conceivable it could happen. Less colorful Acanthophoenix crinita much better choice for California. Very ornamental palm in tropics where rust coloration of crownshaft is unique.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves
  • Height: 10 feet (60 feet possible in the tropics)
  • Trunk: tan, clean, initially spiny but losing spines with age; 4"+ thick
  • Crownshaft: 3' barely thicker than trunk and rust colored, moderately spiny though less so with age
  • Spread: 4'-6'
  • Leaf Shape: pinnate, flat with closely spaced leaflets. Leaves usually upright and rarely reach horizontal without falling off
  • Petiole: short and reddish in juvenile plants
  • Foliage: green with red rachis in juveniles, yellow in adults
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: pink to purple flowers
  • Fruit: 1cm and black when ripe
  • Seed: 5-7mm
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 31F
  • Drought Tolerance: poor
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: very poor
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate to poor
  • Wind Tolerance: poor unless humid
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: very slow
  • Soil Preference: rich and well draining
  • Light Requirement: shade when seeding and gradual coastal, half day sun as matures (note: no mature palms in southern California)
  • Human Hazards: very spiny when young and spines long, thin and very sharp
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: not known
  • Indoor?: very poor choice for indoor palm due to safety hazards


  • San Diego County

  • San Diego County

  • San Diego County

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii

  • Hawaii

Retrieved from "https://www.palmpedia.net/palmsforcal/index.php5?title=Acanthophoenix_rubra&oldid=6965"