Veitchia simulans

Veitchia (veet-KEE-ah) simulans (see-MOO-lahns)
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii. Photo by Geoff Stein.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Veitchia (veet-KEE-ah) Species: simulans (see-MOO-lahns)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Oceania
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Niusawa Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Fiji. A Fijian endemic to Taveuni Island, and strongly resembling Veitchia filifera.

Fiji. Photo by Jim Valentine.

This is an understory palm of wet rainforest areas on Taveuni. (Jim Valentine)

Description

Growing up to 15 meters tall and 15 cm trunk diameter that is often curved and sharply bent. The crown may hold only 9 fronds of 2.5 meters in length. The crownshaft is usually very dark and has a mottled brown-black appearance. Fruits are much larger than V. filifera and about 19 by 25 mm and red when ripe. (Jim Valentine) Editing by edric.

Culture

This palm is not known in cultivation but would require tropical/warm sub-tropical conditions and plenty of water and filtered light. Cold Hardiness Zone: 11 (Jim Valentine)

Comments and Curiosities

A poorly known, medium-sized palm from very wet rainforests on the small Fijian Island of Taveuni, where it is found mainly at mid altitude. The slender, smooth trunk rarely grows to more than 10 m (33 ft.) tall and holds a beautiful, very dark green crownshaft with scaly, grayish "lizard-skin" mottling. The crown consists of about 8 elegantly arching, finely divided leaves. Even though it would make a beautiful ornamental for the tropical garden, this species is virtually unknown in cultivation. Seeds are said to be slow and erratic to germinate. (RPS.com)

Zone 11, Sun to Partial Shade, Light Shade, Partial to Full Shade.