Difference between revisions of "Rhopalostylis sapida"

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{{Palmbox
 
{{Palmbox
 
|image=Nikau_Palme_01.jpg
 
|image=Nikau_Palme_01.jpg
|image_caption=NZ. Photo by F. Munkert, edric.
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|image_caption=NZ. Photo by F. Munkert
 
|genus=Rhopalostylis <br>(rope-ah-loh-STIGH-liss)
 
|genus=Rhopalostylis <br>(rope-ah-loh-STIGH-liss)
 
|species=<br>sapida (sah-PEE-duh)
 
|species=<br>sapida (sah-PEE-duh)
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==Habitat and Distribution==
 
==Habitat and Distribution==
 
Endemic to Chatham Is., New Zealand North, New Zealand South. North Island, and South Island from Marlborough Sounds and Nelson south to Okarito in the west and Banks Peninsula in the east. Also on Chatham and Pitt Islands. However Chatham Islands plants have a distinct juveniel form, larger fruits, and thicker indumentum on the fronds. Primarily a species of coastal to lowland forest in the warmer parts of New Zealand. (nzpcn.org)
 
Endemic to Chatham Is., New Zealand North, New Zealand South. North Island, and South Island from Marlborough Sounds and Nelson south to Okarito in the west and Banks Peninsula in the east. Also on Chatham and Pitt Islands. However Chatham Islands plants have a distinct juveniel form, larger fruits, and thicker indumentum on the fronds. Primarily a species of coastal to lowland forest in the warmer parts of New Zealand. (nzpcn.org)
[[File:post-5709-0-10899500-1404716330.jpeg|thumb|left|500px|Photo-Buller.com]]
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[[File:post-5709-0-10899500-1404716330.jpeg|thumb|left|400px|Photo-Buller.com]]
 
The Nikau palm shows considerable variation in the wild. Plants from the South Island and the offshore islands of the North Island have larger, more gracefully arching fronds and are popular in cultivation. The Chatham Islands form is particularly different, having a distinct juvenile form and larger fruits, and a thicker covering of fine hairs on the fronds. More research is needed into its precise relationship with the mainland form. The New Zealand Nikau palm is very similar to Rhopalostylis baueri of the Kermadecs and Norfolk Island, which can be distinguished by its more rounded or oval fruits, and by its leaflets which are broader than those found in most populations of R. sapida.
 
The Nikau palm shows considerable variation in the wild. Plants from the South Island and the offshore islands of the North Island have larger, more gracefully arching fronds and are popular in cultivation. The Chatham Islands form is particularly different, having a distinct juvenile form and larger fruits, and a thicker covering of fine hairs on the fronds. More research is needed into its precise relationship with the mainland form. The New Zealand Nikau palm is very similar to Rhopalostylis baueri of the Kermadecs and Norfolk Island, which can be distinguished by its more rounded or oval fruits, and by its leaflets which are broader than those found in most populations of R. sapida.
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
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"Because this is a temperate island dweller, it means it prefers a very mild climate, i.e. it can take light frost, and prefers cooler summers. It is very slow growing, taking up to 15 years to form a trunk. Try and find a wind free spot, since the leaves can get quite windblown and tatty." (Mike Gray)
 
"Because this is a temperate island dweller, it means it prefers a very mild climate, i.e. it can take light frost, and prefers cooler summers. It is very slow growing, taking up to 15 years to form a trunk. Try and find a wind free spot, since the leaves can get quite windblown and tatty." (Mike Gray)
 
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[[{{PFC}}http://www.palmpedia.net/palmsforcal/index.php5/Rhopalostylis_sapida]]
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==Comments and Curiosities==
 
==Comments and Curiosities==
 
This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!
 
This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!
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image:2869897e-1e41-441b-99c3-2f76675557a5.jpg|Paparon National Park, South Isl, New Zealand. Photo by Dr. Susyn Andrews/Palmweb.
 
image:2869897e-1e41-441b-99c3-2f76675557a5.jpg|Paparon National Park, South Isl, New Zealand. Photo by Dr. Susyn Andrews/Palmweb.
 
image:7182f0f6-7edb-4fd9-9b85-84c521092db5.jpg|California. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
 
image:7182f0f6-7edb-4fd9-9b85-84c521092db5.jpg|California. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
image:RsIMG_3783.jpg|Former Sullivan garden. Ventura CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_3783.jpg|Former Sullivan garden. Ventura CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:Rhopalostylis_sapida014.jpg|Photo by Rudolf, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapida014.jpg|Photo by Rudolf
image:Rhopalostylis_sapida56.jpg|Photo by Rudolf, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapida56.jpg|Photo by Rudolf
image:Rhopalostylis_sapidas_Balboa.JPG|Balboa Park, San Diego, CA., Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapidas_Balboa.JPG|Balboa Park, San Diego, CA., Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_P2.jpg|Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_P2.jpg|Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_nice_BHils.JPG|Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_nice_BHils.JPG|Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_fruits_flash.JPG|Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Rhopalostylis_sapida_fruits_flash.JPG|Photo by Geoff Stein
image:229edf.jpg|San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:229edf.jpg|San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:3d34fe.jpg|Santa Barbara Zoo, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:3d34fe.jpg|Santa Barbara Zoo, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:97b0e6.jpg|Fullerton, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:97b0e6.jpg|Fullerton, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:D06e4a.jpg|Fullerton Arboretum, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:D06e4a.jpg|Fullerton Arboretum, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:03f1ba.jpg|Lotus Land, Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:03f1ba.jpg|Lotus Land, Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:10a77f.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:10a77f.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:5b31ea.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:5b31ea.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:84b1e6.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:84b1e6.jpg|Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:8a2d45.jpg|Orange county, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:8a2d45.jpg|Orange county, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:98bc8c.jpg|Full sun at a relatively early age. Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:98bc8c.jpg|Full sun at a relatively early age. Santa Barbara, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Bf7207.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Bf7207.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Def264.jpg|Los Angeles, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Def264.jpg|Los Angeles, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:B93531.jpg|Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:B93531.jpg|Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Edcee7.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Edcee7.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:B08557.jpg|Rhopalostylis 'forest' Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:B08557.jpg|Rhopalostylis 'forest' Balboa Park, San Diego, California. Photo by Geoff Stein
 
image:667d78.jpg|Balboa Park, San Diego, California.
 
image:667d78.jpg|Balboa Park, San Diego, California.
image:874a51.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:874a51.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:9d01ca.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:9d01ca.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
 
image:78d77c.jpg|Buller, Sth Island NZ.  
 
image:78d77c.jpg|Buller, Sth Island NZ.  
 
image:Ef13f1.jpg|Buller, Sth Island NZ.
 
image:Ef13f1.jpg|Buller, Sth Island NZ.
image:C91292.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:C91292.jpg|southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:613c8a.jpg|California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:613c8a.jpg|California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:0c2a9c.jpg|Sherman Gardens, Southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:0c2a9c.jpg|Sherman Gardens, Southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:Ee96da.jpg|Sherman Gardens, Southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.
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image:Ee96da.jpg|Sherman Gardens, Southern California. Photo by Geoff Stein
image:RsIMG_4346.jpg|This one displays a purple rachis. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4346.jpg|This one displays a purple rachis. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4347.jpg|This one displays a purple rachis. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4347.jpg|This one displays a purple rachis. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4376.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4376.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4363.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4363.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4379.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4379.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4381.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4381.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. Bob De jong's old garden. San Clemente, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:DdrsIMG_4571.jpg|Lens Monster Dypsis decipiens, with Rhopalostylis sapida on the left. At Len's place. Vista, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:DdrsIMG_4571.jpg|Lens Monster Dypsis decipiens, with Rhopalostylis sapida on the left. At Len's place. Vista, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_4735.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. At Matty Bradford's place. Spring Valley, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4735.jpg|Var. Chatham Island. At Matty Bradford's place. Spring Valley, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RbIMG_4867.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' At Dennis Willoughby's, SoCal. Photo by Troy Donavon, edric.
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image:RbIMG_4867.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' At Dennis Willoughby's, SoCal. Photo by Troy Donavon
image:RbIMG_4872.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' Dennis Willoughby's, SoCal. Photo by Troy Donavon, edric.
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image:RbIMG_4872.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' Dennis Willoughby's, SoCal. Photo by Troy Donavon
image:RsIMG_4909.jpg|Encinitas CA. At Dorian Ouer's place (Dean Ouer's old place). Photo by Troy Donavon, edric.
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image:RsIMG_4909.jpg|Encinitas CA. At Dorian Ouer's place (Dean Ouer's old place). Photo by Troy Donavon
image:RsIMG_5224.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Darold giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5224.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Darold giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_5225.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Darold giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5225.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Darold giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
 
File:rsIMG_7401.jpg|Old Beach, Tasmania. Garden of Troy Donovan. Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' (or 'Oceana'). Photo by Troy Donovan.
 
File:rsIMG_7401.jpg|Old Beach, Tasmania. Garden of Troy Donovan. Rhopalostylis sapida var. 'Chatham Island' (or 'Oceana'). Photo by Troy Donovan.
 
File:rbIMG_7380.jpg|Old Beach, Tasmania. Garden of Troy Donovan. var. 'South Island'. Photo by Troy Donovan.
 
File:rbIMG_7380.jpg|Old Beach, Tasmania. Garden of Troy Donovan. var. 'South Island'. Photo by Troy Donovan.
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File:ropIMG_3817_zpsbff34b64.jpg|San Francisco CA. Darold Petty garden. Rhopalostylis sapida "oceana" Photo by Eric Arneson.
 
File:ropIMG_3817_zpsbff34b64.jpg|San Francisco CA. Darold Petty garden. Rhopalostylis sapida "oceana" Photo by Eric Arneson.
 
File:ropIMG_3794_zps36f5c1ee.jpg|San Francisco CA. Darold Petty garden. Rhopalostylis sapida "banana slug" Photo by Eric Arneson.
 
File:ropIMG_3794_zps36f5c1ee.jpg|San Francisco CA. Darold Petty garden. Rhopalostylis sapida "banana slug" Photo by Eric Arneson.
image:827EBD94-6817-47AD-AF12-10068EABBF17-1919-000002CFE093EE1D_zps5d41ddf0.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Axel's son Lucas giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Axel, edric.
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image:827EBD94-6817-47AD-AF12-10068EABBF17-1919-000002CFE093EE1D_zps5d41ddf0.jpg|Var. 'Chatham Island'. Axel's son Lucas giving scale. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Axel
image:RsIMG_5227.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island'. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5227.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island'. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_5226.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island' (left) Var. 'Chatham Island' (right). "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5226.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island' (left) Var. 'Chatham Island' (right). "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_5110.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island'. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5110.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island'. "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
image:RsIMG_5092.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island' (left) Var. 'Chatham Island' (right). "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan, edric.
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image:RsIMG_5092.jpg|Var. 'Great Barrier Island' (left) Var. 'Chatham Island' (right). "Darold has great drainage with his deep sandy soil and is situated in the Sunset area of San Francisco where foggy and overcast conditions persist for weeks in Summer with temperatures in nmidsummer sometimes not exceeding 60 F ( 16 c )." (Troy Donovan). Darold Petty Garden. Photo by Troy Donovan
 
File:nikau_palms1.jpg|Photo-Birdsbeautifulworld.com.
 
File:nikau_palms1.jpg|Photo-Birdsbeautifulworld.com.
 
File:post-5709-0-42437000-1404716326.jpg|Photo-MarilynNZ.
 
File:post-5709-0-42437000-1404716326.jpg|Photo-MarilynNZ.
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image:669700.jpg|"In many places in New Zealand you will see pasture land that has been cleared of everything but Nikau Palms. West Coast, South Island, New Zealand". Photo by Seth, edric.
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image:669700.jpg|"In many places in New Zealand you will see pasture land that has been cleared of everything but Nikau Palms. West Coast, South Island, New Zealand". Photo by Seth
 
image:F87a61.jpg
 
image:F87a61.jpg
 
image:A083ce.jpg|Nikau grove on the Heaphy Track.Westcoast New Zealand.
 
image:A083ce.jpg|Nikau grove on the Heaphy Track.Westcoast New Zealand.
 
image:B08453.jpg|Nikau palms. At the begining of the Heaphy Track. Westcoast end.
 
image:B08453.jpg|Nikau palms. At the begining of the Heaphy Track. Westcoast end.
image:Sapida2.jpg|NZ. Photo by Mike Gray, edric.
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image:Sapida2.jpg|NZ. Photo by Mike Gray
image:Sapida1.jpg|Attractive cluster of plants at the mouth of the Heaphy River, north-west South Island. Photo by Mike Gray, edric.
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image:Sapida1.jpg|Attractive cluster of plants at the mouth of the Heaphy River, north-west South Island. Photo by Mike Gray
image:NikauPalmNZ.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida (Nīkau palm), Eden Gardens, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa, edric.
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image:NikauPalmNZ.jpg|Rhopalostylis sapida (Nīkau palm), Eden Gardens, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa
image:Nikau_Reserve,_Paraparaumu.jpg|Forest of nikau palms (Rhopalostylis sapida) in Nikau Reserve, Paraparaumu. Photo by Pseudopanax, edric.
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image:Nikau_Reserve,_Paraparaumu.jpg|Forest of nikau palms (Rhopalostylis sapida) in Nikau Reserve, Paraparaumu. Photo by Pseudopanax
image:Rsapida337.jpg|Ripe fruit of Rhopalostylis sapida (Nīkau palm), Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa, edric.
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image:Rsapida337.jpg|Ripe fruit of Rhopalostylis sapida (Nīkau palm), Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa
image:ChathamsNikau267.jpg|Crownshaft and seeds of Rhopalostylis sapida (Chathams Islands Nīkau palm) The Chatham Islands Nikau is particularly distinctive, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa, edric.
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image:ChathamsNikau267.jpg|Crownshaft and seeds of Rhopalostylis sapida (Chathams Islands Nīkau palm) The Chatham Islands Nikau is particularly distinctive, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo by Kahuroa
image:Nikau_Palme_01.jpg|NZ. Photo by F. Munkert, edric.
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image:Nikau_Palme_01.jpg|NZ. Photo by F. Munkert
 
File:Kermadec1.JPG|New Zealand. Howea f. in back. Photo by Benz.
 
File:Kermadec1.JPG|New Zealand. Howea f. in back. Photo by Benz.
 
File:post-42-0-41636300-1432208490.jpg|Wollongong Botanical Gardens Palm Collection, 90 minute drive south of Sydney. Photo by Daryl O'Connor.
 
File:post-42-0-41636300-1432208490.jpg|Wollongong Botanical Gardens Palm Collection, 90 minute drive south of Sydney. Photo by Daryl O'Connor.
  
image:Sapida10.jpg|This photograph, which dates from the turn of the century, shows a freak six headed nikau from the Kaipara region. Protective fencing indicates the special local respect for this bizarre plant (given that much native bush was being cleared for agriculture at the time). This photograph was taken by Frank Blackwell, brother to Ellen Blackwell who was the co-author of the book "Plants of New Zealand", first published in 1906. It went on to become a classic and ran to seven editions over 60 years. A six headed Nikau, (possibly the same specimen as the one in the photograph) appears in her book (extracted from Summer 1994 magazine of the Palm and Cycad Society of New Zealand. Photo-Mike Gray, edric.
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image:Sapida10.jpg|This photograph, which dates from the turn of the century, shows a freak six headed nikau from the Kaipara region. Protective fencing indicates the special local respect for this bizarre plant (given that much native bush was being cleared for agriculture at the time). This photograph was taken by Frank Blackwell, brother to Ellen Blackwell who was the co-author of the book "Plants of New Zealand", first published in 1906. It went on to become a classic and ran to seven editions over 60 years. A six headed Nikau, (possibly the same specimen as the one in the photograph) appears in her book (extracted from Summer 1994 magazine of the Palm and Cycad Society of New Zealand. Photo-Mike Gray
 
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==External Links==
 
==External Links==

Revision as of 21:16, 8 August 2015

Shaving Brush Palm

Rhopalostylis
(rope-ah-loh-STIGH-liss)
sapida (sah-PEE-duh)
Nikau Palme 01.jpg
NZ. Photo by F. Munkert
Scientific Classification
Genus: Rhopalostylis
(rope-ah-loh-STIGH-liss)
Species:
sapida (sah-PEE-duh)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Oceania
Oceania.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Nikau palm, Shaving Brush Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Chatham Is., New Zealand North, New Zealand South. North Island, and South Island from Marlborough Sounds and Nelson south to Okarito in the west and Banks Peninsula in the east. Also on Chatham and Pitt Islands. However Chatham Islands plants have a distinct juveniel form, larger fruits, and thicker indumentum on the fronds. Primarily a species of coastal to lowland forest in the warmer parts of New Zealand. (nzpcn.org)

Photo-Buller.com

The Nikau palm shows considerable variation in the wild. Plants from the South Island and the offshore islands of the North Island have larger, more gracefully arching fronds and are popular in cultivation. The Chatham Islands form is particularly different, having a distinct juvenile form and larger fruits, and a thicker covering of fine hairs on the fronds. More research is needed into its precise relationship with the mainland form. The New Zealand Nikau palm is very similar to Rhopalostylis baueri of the Kermadecs and Norfolk Island, which can be distinguished by its more rounded or oval fruits, and by its leaflets which are broader than those found in most populations of R. sapida.

Description

Trunk up to 15 m, stout, covered in grey-green leaf scars, otherwise green. Crownshaft 0.6 (-1) m long, dark green, smooth, bulging. Fronds up to 3 m long; leaflets to 1 m, closely set (sometimes over lapping), ascending. Spathes about 300 x 150 mm., between pink and yellow, caducous. Inflorescence shortly stalked, with many branches, 200-400 mm long. Flowers sessile, unisexual, tightly packed, lilac to pink. Males in pairs, caducous, stamens 6. Females solitary, with minute staminodes, ovary 1-locular, stigmas terminal, recurved, persistent. Fruit about 10 x 7 mm, elliptic-oblong, flesh red. (nzpcn.org)

Trunk to about 12 m. × 25 cm., green between rather closely spaced leaf-scars; crownshaft to 60 cm. long, smooth and green, slightly bulging. Leaf to 3 m. long; leaflets to 1 m. long, closely set and ascending sharply. Spathes about 30 × 15 cm., between pink and yellow, smooth, falling as first flowers open. Ultimate branches of inflorescence. to about 20–(30) cm. long, about 1.5 cm. in diam. with buds on, at first pale cream-coloured; flower-buds tightly packed, lilac Fragrance, about 10 × 7 mm., elliptic-oblong, brick-red. Seed long-oval, tightly invested in smooth, whitish endocarp which is marked by mainly longitudinal vascular strands; hilum broad at chalazal end, tapering to a narrow groove beside the micropyle. (nzpcn.org) Editing by edric.

Culture

PROPAGATION TECHNIQUE: Easy from seed. Fruit should be soaked for a few days in water and then lightly scrubbed to clear the flesh, then place in sealed plastic bags in half shade until seed begins to germinate. Plant germinating seed in deep, narrow pots. Avoid disturbing the roots as much as possible. An excellent pot plant, and provided the tap root is left intact it can be easily transplanted. Quite hardy. Very variable in the wild, so could benefit from critical horticultural selection. (nzpcn.org)

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Comments and Curiosities

This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!

Uses: Maori found many uses for the Nikau palm. The bases of the inner leaves were eaten raw or cooked, also the young flower clusters. Food was wrapped in the leaves for cooking, and the old fibrous leaves were used for baskets, floor mats, and waterproof thatch for buildings.

Etymology: Rhopalostylis: In Latin, literally, 'club style'. sapida: 'savoury'. Nīkau is a Māori word; in the closely related Eastern Polynesian languages of the tropical Pacific, it refers to the fronds or the midrib of the coconut palm.

Similar taxa: Rhopalostylis baueri (Seem.) H.Wendl. et Drude, which differs mainly by its globose to oval fruits, and from most populations of R. sapida, by the broader leaflets. Both species of Rhopalostylis are very similar and research is needed. (nzpcn.org)

Phenology: November - April, Main Flower Colour: Red / Pink, FRUITING: February - November.

"There are two, species of this genus (+ subspecies), all from the islands of New Zealand and nearby. As a group they are referred to as the shaving brush palms since their sillohuete resembles one. They are relatively fastidious palms preferring a mediterranean climate to one more tropical or cold... a pretty narrow temperature range. But lucky for us in So Cal most areas are perfect for growing this species. It doesn't like it hot or cold. These palms have a classic feather palm shape with a humongous bulbous crownshaft (more so on this species than the other) of bright, lime green. The leaves are stiff and erect with very closely spaced leaflets. This species differs from R baueri in that the leaflets start at the very begining of the leaf- no petiole basically. The trunk is very closely ringed and ornamental. It is a moderately slow growing palm, taking up to 10 years or more to get a trunk going from seedling. But once it forms a trunk they pick up speed a bit. Their fruit is bright red and a striking contrast to the lime green crownshaft just above where the fruit stalk erupts. These are simple gorgeous palms!" (Geoff Stein).

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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