Difference between revisions of "Licuala ramsayi"

Latest revision as of 12:16, 18 August 2015

Pronunciation: lih-KWAL-uh RAM-zee-eye

Common Name: Australian Fan Palm; Wedge-leaf Fan Palm

Licuala ramsayi is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm. Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception. But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate. In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms). However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies. Two varieties are described in the literature, with one being the 'type' and the other var. tuckeri, differentiated by having little to no spines along the petioles (so obviously this might be the more popular variety). Leaves are nearly circular, split randomly and have an ornamental edge as if cut by a pinking shears. It is a highly ornamental species.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 6-8 fan leaves
Height: 10' estimate
Trunk: single; 3"-4" thick; covered with fibrous weave and retained, unsplit leaf bases
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 4'-5'
Leaf Description: palmate; nearly circular; some splits down to petiole; leaf margins 'cut' regularly at each leaflet; pleated pattern of leaflets; 3' long; yellow-green to light green
Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'-2'; bright green; thin and flattish; armed with small teeth, OR unarmed/minimally armed in variety tuckeri; un-split; often retained on trunk for much of height of plant
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 3' long; arching from within leaves mostly horizontal to pendulous; highly branched
Fruit: spherical; bright red-orange; 1/3" in diameter

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 27F
Drought Tolerance: low
Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
Cool Tolerance: low to moderate
Wind Tolerance: low
Salt Tolerance: moderate
Growth Rate: very slow to slow with age
Soil Preference: moist and well draining, but adaptable otherwise
Light Requirement: shade to partial near coast
Human Hazards: mild petiolar hazard in 'type' variety
Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
Transplants?: unknown
Indoor?: fair
Availability: rare

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 '''''Licuala ramsayi''''' is one of the easier Licualas to grow in California… but saying that does not make it an easy palm.  Most Licualas are impossible to grow here, so this is an exception.  But growing this plant well still requires protection from the elements, strict observance of water needs and a good microclimate.  In its native Australia, this palm eventually grows into a tall forest of trees which can be walked beneath (unlike most Licualas that stay fairly small and are classified as understory palms).  However, in California, no 'trees' exist yet and likely few, if any, will attain enough height to walk below their canopies.  Two varieties are described in the literature, with one being the 'type' and the other var. tuckeri, differentiated by having little to no spines along the petioles (so obviously this might be the more popular variety).  Leaves are nearly circular, split randomly and have an ornamental edge as if cut by a pinking shears.  It is a highly ornamental species.
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 File:Licuala ramsayi Jim 2.jpg|garden of Jim Denz, northern California

Difference between revisions of "Licuala ramsayi"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 12:16, 18 August 2015