Difference between revisions of "Sabal bermudana"

Revision as of 08:46, 27 September 2014

Pronunciation: suh-BALL/SAY-bull burr-mew-DAH-nuh

Common Name: Bermuda Palm

Sabal bermudana is one of the largest of the Sabals, and an impressive garden/park specimen plant when well grown and watered. Somewhat variable, and there is a wide variation in palms identified as this in botanical gardens around California- some may be incorrectly identified. This palm seems to grow as well if not better than its native Bermuda island- getting a bit taller and growing a bit faster.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 30-40 fan leaves
Height: 25' (note, this is taller than it gets in habitat)
Trunk: single; 18"-24"; clean if no leaf trimming, but can be covered entire length with split leaf bases if leaves trimmed off
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 12'-16'
Leaf Description: strongly costapalmate; 10'-12' long; deep green; thick and leathery; leaflets drooping; leaves split 1/3-1/2 their length; blades about 5'-6' long
Petiole/Leaf bases: 5'-6' long; arching a bit; very sharp edges; moderately channeled; bases split and often retained along entire length of trunk if leaves trimmed, but otherwise fall of trunk
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 3'-4' long; from within lower crown of leaves; branched, arching downwards but mostly horizontal in orientation
Fruit: spherical and black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 20F
Drought Tolerance: moderate
Dry Heat Tolerance: good
Wind Tolerance: moderate to poor (if arid winds)
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow
Soil Preference: widely adaptable
Light Requirement: full to partial sun
Human Hazards: sharp petiolar blades
Disease or Horticultural Problems: mild tendency for potassium deficiency in California
Transplants?: may be poor
Indoor?: unlikely would do well
Availability: rare but often available at palm specialty nurseries

Los Angeles arboretum
Los Angeles
Los Angeles arboretum
Los Angeles
Los Angeles arboretum
petioles
petioles of dead leaves
huge skirt of dead leaves, Los Angeles arboretum
leaf bases
trunk of cut leaf bases, Los Angeles
San Diego botanical gardens
juvenile in Hawaii
naturally occurring seedlings below parent, Los Angeles arboretum

@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 File:sabal bermudana crown.JPG|Los Angeles arboretum
 File:Sabal bermudana petiole larb.jpg|petioles
-File:Sabal bermudana petioles larb.jpg|petiole shot]
+File:Sabal bermudana petioles larb.jpg|petioles of dead leaves
 File:Sabal bermudana leaf skirt larb.jpg|huge skirt of dead leaves, Los Angeles arboretum
 File:Sabal bermudana leaf bases larb.jpg|leaf bases

Difference between revisions of "Sabal bermudana"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Revision as of 08:46, 27 September 2014