Difference between revisions of "Chambeyronia macrocarpa"

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==Curiosities==
 
==Curiosities==
As the national tree of New Caledonia, it becomes obvious why, when one is on approach to that country's airport. This gorgeous tall emergent species can be seen poking its head above the forest, and becomes especially visible while sporting its trademark new leaf.
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As the national tree of New Caledonia, it becomes obvious why, when one is on approach to that country's airport. This gorgeous tall emergent species can be seen poking its head above the forest, and becomes especially visible while sporting its trademark new leaf.  After observing many cultivated Chambeyronia macrocarpa in private and public gardens, one begins to notice how variable this species is.  Leaflet width varies greatly, as does the sheen, from glossy to matte finish, as well as different colorations on the crownshaft and petioles.
 
[[Category:CHAMBEYRONIA|macrocarpa]]
 
[[Category:CHAMBEYRONIA|macrocarpa]]

Revision as of 09:57, 30 December 2011

Chamberonya macrocarpa

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Scientific Classification
Genus: Chamberonya
Species: macrocarpa
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Oceania
Oceania.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Culture
Soil type: Well drained.
Survivability index
Common names
None.


Kona - Big Island, Hawaii
Hawaii
Seed-Waimea, Hawaii
Just opening C.'hookeri'
C. 'Watermelon'

Habitat and Distribution

C. macrocarpa is endemic to the mid-elevations of the New Caledonian rain forest from 2,000-3,000 ft/610-900m.

Description

Any description of this palm would have to begin with its propensity to exhibit a brightly colored red new leaf. When any new palm enthusiast first sees this newly opening red leaf, it instantly becomes one of the select "must have" palms. While a good majority of these palms throw the red leaf, some do not, including most very young plants. Similar to many other New Caledonia palms, this only carries 6-10 fronds at a time. Yet with the very wide leaflets and the graceful curve of the rachis, the overall outline is most pleasing and an excellent candidate for a solitary or group statement. It is morphologically diverse with at least 4 variations considered and treated as different species by hobbyists.

  • The "green form," with a dark solid green crownshaft, and the most common of the forms.
  • The "yellow form," or C.hookeri, with a yellow crownshaft and the color extending up into the petioles. Observations have been consistent that this form has the most vivid and highest percentage of red leafs. This form is sometimes referred to as the "blond flamethrower".
  • The "watermelon form," with the yellow and green streaked appearence of some watermelons in its crownshaft. It has been discussed that this may be the result of cross pollination between the green and yellow forms.
  • C. houailou, which is distinguished by the entire unsegmented leaves it carries as a juvenile, and the exaggerated recurve to the fronds as an adult. It appears to almost never have the new red leaf characteristic of the other forms.

There is supposedly another exceptionally robust variety with a crownshaft covered in white tomentum.

Culture

This palm has become very popular and successful in warm temperate locations, belying its existence as a warm rain forest palm. As a fast grower in the tropics, it still maintains a good growth rate in warmer temperate locations. Intolerant of hot dry conditions, it is well suited to conditons such as those in coastal Southern California if given the prerequisite rich well draining soil.

In Southern California, these palms do best with some shade; the further inland from the sea (or ocean influence) they more shade they like. However, they will also take full sun in areas along the coast, or with heavy coastal influence (e.g., Whittier, Camarillo, Beverly Hills, Santa Ana, La Mesa) if they're watered frequently. In full sun, they should be watered every two or three days at half or one-third the water to be given in a week.

These palms are not bothered much by pests, though scale and whitefly can be a problem. Most of the time, ladybugs and other weapons in Mother Nature's arsenal will keep bad bugs at bay.

Curiosities

As the national tree of New Caledonia, it becomes obvious why, when one is on approach to that country's airport. This gorgeous tall emergent species can be seen poking its head above the forest, and becomes especially visible while sporting its trademark new leaf. After observing many cultivated Chambeyronia macrocarpa in private and public gardens, one begins to notice how variable this species is. Leaflet width varies greatly, as does the sheen, from glossy to matte finish, as well as different colorations on the crownshaft and petioles.