Medemia argun

Nakhila Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.

Medemia (meh-deh-MEE-uh) argun (AHR-guhn)

Cojedes, Venezuela 9°N, approx 600 feet above sea level. Photo by David Clulow, edric.

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Medemia (meh-deh-MEE-uh)
Species:	argun (AHR-guhn)

Synonyms

None set.

Native Continent

Africa

Morphology

Habit:	Solitary
Leaf type:	Costapalmate

Culture

Survivability index

Common names

Nubian Desert Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Egypt, and Sudan.

Description

Culture

Comments and Curiosities

This is a monotypic genus.

"Attractive solitary palmate/costapalmate thick trunked, very slow growing rare species from the northern deserts of Africa. This palm was thought to be extinct until just 10 years ago (1995) when it was rediscovered. Now seed has become available and many are trying to grow it all over the world. Here in southern California many have had good luck getting this palm to germinate and grow to a small seedling, but most lose it after that... very finicky palm in terms of water and heat.. needs less water than just about any other palm (too much in winter here kills them off), and needs constant heat. Not sure if we will ever get an adult here except for out in our desert areas. But in south Florida and the tropics where it never cools off, it is doing much better. Closely related to and looks a bit like Hyphaene and Bismarckia. Has blue-green markedly costapalmate/recurved leaves and very colorful black to orange petioles." (Geoff Stein), edric.

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Special thanks to palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos, edric.

IMAGE GALLERY
2 years from seed. Cojedes, Venezuela 9°N, approx 600 feet above sea level. Photo by David Clulow, edric.
5 years from seed. Cojedes, Venezuela 9°N, approx 600 feet above sea level. Photo by David Clulow, edric.
Cojedes, Venezuela 9°N, approx 600 feet above sea level. Photo by David Clulow, edric.
Cojedes, Venezuela 9°N, approx 600 feet above sea level. Photo by David Clulow, edric.
Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens, Thailand.
India. Photo by Kris Achar, edric.
India. Photo by Kris Achar.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Nakhila Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Nakhila Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Wadi Neigit, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Wadi Neigit, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Wadi Umm Gir, Egypt. Photo by Haitham Ibrahim, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Sudan.
South Valley University, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Wadi Dungul, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Dungul Oasis, Egypt. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, edric.
Fresh Seeds,Photo by Kris Achar.
Cleaned Seeds,Photo by Kris Achar.
Cleaned Seed,Photo by Kris Achar.
Seed Germination,Photo by Kris Achar.
Germinated Seeds,Photo by Kris Achar.
Photo by Kris Achar.
Photo by Kris Achar.