Difference between revisions of "Gaussia maya"

Latest revision as of 20:03, 1 August 2015

Pronunciation: GOW-see-uh MY-uh

Common Name: Maya Palm

Gaussia maya is somewhat of a curiosity palm, grown by collectors who want to grow something they can, but not necessarily for ornamental value. Young palms do have interesting and ornamental ringed, bottle trunks, but these eventually become columnar with age. This palm only tends to hold a few leaves at a time in California (not much more impressive in the tropics, though), so it always seems a bit anemic. This is by far the most cold tolerant member of the genus.

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 3-5 pinnate leaves
Height: 18' estimate
Trunk: single; 6"-7" diameter; ringed trunk with top few trunk segments being green; rest below turn a pale tan; young palms have a bottle-shaped trunk when 1'-2' of trunk
Crownshaft: 12" tall; hidden often by retained dead leaves; glaucous green and somewhat incomplete; narrower for most of its length than the trunk diameter
Spread: 4'-5'
Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; leaves vertically oriented with gradual arch to about 45 degrees from vertical; glaucous green; leaflets pendulous
Petiole/Leaf bases: 1' long; channeled; unarmed; glaucous green
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: 1'-2'; very vertically oriented (to being pressed up against crownshaft); from below crownshaft; usually several present at a time, often circling the trunk; branched
Fruit: spherical; 1/2"; reddish-orange when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 25F
Drought Tolerance: moderate
Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate
Wind Tolerance: moderate to poor
Salt Tolerance: unknown
Growth Rate: slow
Soil Preference: adaptable
Light Requirement: filtered light to full sun
Human Hazards: none
Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
Transplants?: unknown
Indoor?: has been used but needs a lot of light and good air circulation
Availability: rare but often available from palm specialty nurseries

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 '''''Gaussia maya''''' is somewhat of a curiosity palm, grown by collectors who want to grow something they can, but not necessarily for ornamental value.  Young palms do have interesting and ornamental ringed, bottle trunks, but these eventually become columnar with age.  This palm only tends to hold a few leaves at a time in California (not much more impressive in the tropics, though), so it always seems a bit anemic.  This is by far the most cold tolerant member of the genus.
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 *'''Availability''': rare but often available from palm specialty nurseries
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 File:Gaussia maya AN.JPG|San Fernando valley, California

Difference between revisions of "Gaussia maya"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Latest revision as of 20:03, 1 August 2015