Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix rubra"

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

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 '''''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.
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 *'''Indoor?''': very poor choice for indoor palm due to safety hazards
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 File:Acanthophoenix rubra Morgan.jpg|San Diego County

Difference between revisions of "Acanthophoenix rubra"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 23:58, 30 July 2015