Difference between revisions of "Chuniophoenix nana"

Revision as of 19:04, 31 July 2015

Pronunciation: chew-nee-oh-FEE-nix NAN-uh

Common Name:

Chuniophoenix nana is an underused, understory or smaller specimen palm for southern California. It is a highly ornamental and very tight, neat palm for smaller areas out of direct sun. Despite its relatively delicate appearance it is turning out to be a very hardy and durable plant, handling an amazing amount of frost without any obvious damage. True frost tolerance still not known. Clumps stay narrow and do not spread, as does Rhapis excelsa, a very similar looking species.

Chuniophoenix humilis considered a separate species by Henderson, but synonym by Zona.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: suckering with crowns of about 6-12 fan leaves per stem
Height: 5'
Trunk: tightly multiple; 1/2"; covered with old leaf bases, and sometimes for much of its height, living leaves; very bottoms often clean and ringed; deep reddish-brown in color
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 2'-3'
Leaf Description: palmate; deeply divided all the way to base to about 4/5 of length of leaflets; leathery; deep green; arching/drooping leaflets; 1'-2' long (including petiole); upright in orientation
"'Petiole/leaf bases"': fine, arching; 12"-28"; unsplit; retained along stem nearly entire length
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 2'; upright; often multiple at same time; from lower to middle stems where still some living leaves; small side branches; creamy white flowers
Fruit: green to yellow to red-orange when ripe; spherical; 1/4" diameter
Seed:

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 24F
Drought Tolerance: low
Dry Heat Tolerance: low
Wind Tolerance: low
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow
Soil Preference: moist and well draining/rich/ acidic
Light Requirement: filtered sun
Human Hazards: none
Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
Transplants?: very good transplanter
Indoor?: possibly a good choice (not tried yet)
Availability: rare but often available at on line tropical palm nurseries

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 ''Chuniophoenix humilis'' considered a separate species by Henderson, but synonym by Zona.
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 File:Chuniophoenix nana 2 Hooper.jpg|Los Angeles

Difference between revisions of "Chuniophoenix nana"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Revision as of 19:04, 31 July 2015