Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix crinita"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor
 
Line 6: Line 6:
  
 
<br style: "clear=all">
 
<br style: "clear=all">
−
<br style: "clear=all">
+
 
−
<br style: "clear=all">
+
 
−
<br style: "clear=all">
+
−
<br style: "clear=all">
+
 
'''''Acanthophoenix crinita''''' is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.  Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations.  Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.  
 
'''''Acanthophoenix crinita''''' is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar.  Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations.  Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.  
 
<br style: "clear=all">
 
<br style: "clear=all">

Latest revision as of 13:53, 9 February 2023

Pronunciation: uh-can-tuh-FEE-nix kri-NEE-tuh




Acanthophoenix crinita is a thin-trunked, pinnate palm from Reunion Island, east of Madagascar. Though from a decidedly tropical climate, this palm has surprising cold tolerance and does surprisingly well in a Mediterranean climate, growing to maturity in several California locations. Though not as colorful as its cousin, Acanthophoenix rubra, it is far hardier and is a fascinating spiny palm for partially sunny areas of the warmer areas of southern California.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-10 feather leaves
  • Height: 15-20 feet
  • Trunk: clean; light tan to white, prominently ringed with long black spines when younger, disappearing with age; 'foot' at base; 4"-6" thick
  • Crownshaft: brown and intensely spiny in younger palms (no old palms in southern California, yet)' about same width as trunk
  • Spread: 8'-10'
  • Leaf Shape: 6 feet long, flat with closely spaced leaflets
  • Petiole: short and spiny when young
  • Foliage: medium bright green and somewhat spiny in younger plants
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: white to pinkish-orange flowers
  • Fruit: 6mm and black when mature
  • Seed: 4mm spherical
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 28F
  • Drought Tolerance: poor
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate if protected from sun
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: mod to poor
  • Salt Tolerance: unknown
  • Growth Rate: slow but picks up a bit with age
  • Soil Preference: rich and well draining, but somewhat tolerant of clay soils
  • Light Requirement: filtered light when young to half day sun as adult (even inland)
  • Human Hazards: very spiny palm until mature (some spines seem to remain)
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: unknown
  • Indoor?: very poor choice of indoor palm due to spines


  • Vista, California

  • Huntington Beach, California

  • Vista, California

  • Orange County, California

  • ringed trunk

  • swollen base (foot)

  • spiny crownshaft

  • crownshaft shot of mature palm, Orange county, California

  • flower spathe

  • flower

  • spiny petiole

Retrieved from "https://www.palmpedia.net/palmsforcal/index.php5?title=Acanthophoenix_crinita&oldid=9126"