Hyophorbe indica

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25 months old from seed, two red, and three green, the tallest one on left, is six foot four, from soil elevation to tip of frond, Oak Hill, Florida.
Hyophorbe (hy-oh-FOR-beh) indica (in'-dih-kuh)
Hipost-42-1251613533.jpg
Brisbane, Australia. Phil Arrowsmith's garden. Photo gy Daryl O'Connor, edric.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Hyophorbe (hy-oh-FOR-beh)
Species: indica (in'-dih-kuh)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Africa.gif
Morphology
Habit: solitary
Leaf type: pinnate
Height: 20 ft/6 m
Trunk diameter: 8"/20 cm
Culture
Sun exposure: grow into full sun
Watering: moderate, always moist
Soil type: well drained
Survivability index
MSI #4A
Common names
Champagne palm, poison palm


Habitat and Distribution

Hyophorbe indica is endemic to La Reunion Island in the Mascarene Islands east of Madagascar.

Description

A solitary, medium-size crownshafted palm with the southern variety having distinctive rusty-red color to the crownshaft; there is also a more common green form from the eastern side of the island. Unlike H. lagenicaulis or verschaffeltii, it does not exhibit any bulging of the trunk. Editing by edric.

Culture

As with many palms, seedlings prefer shade, but as the palm matures it can take more sun, even full sun in coastal conditions.

Comments and Curiosities

(Southern var.) An exceedingly rare relative of the well known Bottle and Spindle palms from the Mascarene Islands this species has a much more slender appearance and is very fast growing. The more cold tolerant southern populations on Réunion with red petioles. (Eastern var.) This form comes from populations on the eastern side of Réunion Island, which have green petioles and are incredibly fast growing. Said to be less cold hady, but I find no difference, 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.

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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