Syagrus botryophora

From Palmpedia - Palm Grower's Guide
Jump to: navigation, search
Syagrus (sih-AHG-ruhs)
botryophora (bot-ree-OH-for-ah)
Syagrus botryophora00.jpg
Bahia, Brazil. Photo by Alex Popovkin.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Syagrus (sih-AHG-ruhs)
Species:
botryophora (bot-ree-OH-for-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Pati Queen Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Syagrus botryophora is found in Brazil Northeast,
Farm São Miguel -Itacaré - BA - Brazil. Photo: Mauricio Caixeta.
and Brazil Southeast.

Description

Syagrus botryophora has a fairly thin trunk, and the numerous fronds are gracefully arranged. Unfortunately, this palm, though now not uncommon in its native habitat, may someday face extinction due to the destruction of the forest in which it grows, as the forest canopy on which young plants depend for cover has almost been completely eradicated. Very similar in appearance to S. romanzoffiana, although a more slender palm; a slightly more robust crown, to about 18m tall. S. botryophora has recurved leaves, in which the leaflets are rigid, ascending, forming a V shape. They are regularly arranged and spread in one plane, unlike the plumose S. romanzoffiana. Editing by edric.

Culture

This species has done well in the warmer areas of Florida's 9b climate. It is cold sensitive but worth a try if low temps don't go too far below freezing. A very fast grower. In Florida this palm grows at twice the rate of S. romanzoffiana.

PFC for PP.png

Comments and Curiosities

"Wonderful Syagrus with thin trunk, fast growth (relatively), and mod length, arching leaves with fine, slightly sparsely spaced leaflets on a flat plane (not plumose like most Syagrus). Also seems to retain several ranks of leaves along trunk. Trunk covered with an ornamental neat weave of fiber. Seedlings have long strap leaves and take years to develop their first split leaves. This has been a good palm for me, though a bit marginal in zone 9b (gets damaged by frosts). Relatively new in cultivation. Experience in Florida has shown it to be a very fast grower there, but also easily blown over in high winds." Tarzana, CA (Zone 9b) (Geoff Stein)

"Seeds germinate faster if the endocarp, or outer shell, is cracked in a vice. Some species seeds are easily damaged by this technique but the endocarp on Syagrus botryophora is so thick and hard that it just "pops" and releases the seed inside. Be sterile in handling and sowing when using this technique. I recommend perlite to sow in." Lemon Grove, CA (Zone 10a) (Matty Bradford)

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

Banner1B
Back to Palm Encyclopedia