Pronunciation: GOW-see-uh PRIN-seps
Common Name:
Gaussia princeps is considered by many palm enthusiasts in California as a fairly difficult palm to grow to maturity, or even to trunking. For all appearances, it is very difficult to tell from Gaussia attenuata and the two are probably commonly confused. Like Gaussia attenuata, this palm forms an ornamental bottle trunk before it gets tall (which is not a given in California). Like all the Gaussias in California, this one does not tend to hold too many leaves at a time (2-3, sometimes up to 5). It is a very slow growing palm. Native to Cuba where it grows very tall (over 40')
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Appearance and Biology
- Habit: solitary with a sparse crown of pinnate leaves
- Height: overall height est. 10'; trunk height est. 4'
- Trunk: single; 1' thick; bottle shaped with closely spaced, prominent rings
- Crownshaft: rapidly tapering; light green to olive green; 18"-24" tall
- Spread: 10'
- Leaf Description: pinnate; somewhat plumose; leaves arching slightly; leaflets upright but drooping several inches from attachment to petiole; light green
- Petiole/Leaf bases: unarmed; 18" long to nearly 24"; rounded with a flat, upper surface
- Reproduction: monoecious
- Inflorescence:
- Fruit:
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Horticultural Characteristics
- Minimum Temp: 32F
- Drought Tolerance: fair
- Dry Heat Tolerance: unknown
- Cool Tolerance: poor
- Wind Tolerance: poor
- Salt Tolerance: unknown
- Growth Rate: very slow
- Soil Preference: prefers a basic soil with limestone, but seems to adapt to California soils with acidic mulch
- Light Requirement: partial to full sun
- Human Hazards: none
- Disease or Horticultural Problems: other than lack of cold and cool tolerance, none known
- Transplants?: fairly good
- Indoor?: unknown
- Availability: very rare
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San Diego county, California (transplanted from Orange County successfully)
Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Miami, Florida
seedlings growing below mature palm, Fairchild gardens
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