Beccariophoenix fenestralis

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Beccariophoenix
(bek-kahr-ee-oh-FEH-niks) fenestralis (feh-nehs-TRAH-lis)
5049e2f4-8695-4e0d-81c3-7881f327a3b4z.jpg
Ranomafana Est, near Brickaville, Toamasina, Madagascar. Phoyo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Beccariophoenix
(bek-kahr-ee-oh-FEH-niks)
Species: fenestralis (feh-nehs-TRAH-lis)
Synonyms
Beccariophoenix madagascariensis sp. 'windows' (old name)
Native Continent
Africa
Africa.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Beccariophoenix fenestralis is endemic to Madagascar.

Ranomafana Est, near Brickaville, Toamasina, Madagascar. Phoyo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

Description

Beccariophoenix fenestralis (new name) is a spectacular, massive Coconut relative, that is rare and endangered.

Seeds: these seeds are slightly ovoid, about 1" x 3/4". on the tree, they were purple eggplant shaped fruit and when I cleaned them the husk reminded me of the outer layer of a coconut. they looked just like the attached photo from palmpedia. I am sure they are fertile because I have about 12 seedlings growing now from the last collection. based on the photo, I determined they were B. fenestralis. it is my understanding that all the Beccario's look the same as mature trees. (John Doughten)

Culture

Obviously this is a great palm for the tropics, growing fast, tall and extremely robust. In the more humid climates it seems wind and full sun hardy. However, in a drier, cooler climate such as southern California, this has been a struggle for palm enthusiasts for several decades now. Since it does survive there (it has a cold tolerance down into the 20Fs, but it doesn't like staying down there), it is grown very often, but few individuals survive to adulthood, nor look all that great trying to get there. This hapless palm is constantly struggling in California with chlorosis (particularly in hot sun), does very poorly in dry winds, and cool winters are very hard on it (plants generally stop growing completely and foliage appearance tends to decline). It is extremely prone to bud rot when tap water gets in the crown in cooler seasons. Now that there are two superior Beccariophoenix for California, maybe most palm enthusiasts will discontinue the palm torture and direct their energies elsewhere.

PFC for PP.png

Comments and Curiosities



External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

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

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

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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