Palm Identification

Bernard Keays · 14th March 2008, 10:32 PM

Ekka,

Do you know what this palm is? We were trimming two leopard trees on the footpath today and the lady had asked one of the guys for a quote for something when we noticed this unusual palm. Brook recons its got dreadlocks?

Ekka · 14th March 2008, 10:48 PM

Interesting.

Looking at first I think Kentia, the stem anyway, however the Kentia leaves droop more. Also kentia fronds are thinner where these are similar to majestic fronds.

Now the flower, could be deformed or fungus ... so I aint 100% sold that's the deal yet.

Good quiz, and palm ID out there is bad I have found, so lets go hunting.

azrael · 15th March 2008, 07:29 PM

How about Lytocaryum weddellianum (Feather Palm) as a guess ... Google Image Result for http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Lytocaryum/weddellianum.jpg

Inflorescence position would help ...and if leaflets are induplicate (V) or reduplicate ... or any other distingushing feature (such as bloom on the underside of leaflets).

Yup ...palms are not easy to ID ... anyway that my (first) guess ...I get 3 goes at it dont I ... (Ekka)????

Ekka · 15th March 2008, 09:18 PM

You get as many goes as you like, I searched but cannot find and also haven't seen such a whacko palm before.

I visit the botanical gardens often and haven't seen one there either.

Nice one Bernard

Bernard Keays · 15th March 2008, 10:17 PM

Thanks guys. Ekka...I though it was a kentia palm (H. forsteriana) too when I first saw it but the leaves weren't right. I don't know but could it be another species of kentia (H. belmoreana)? I'm not familiar with Azrael's suggestion either but probably need to read up a bit more on my plant anatomy. The inflorescence was attached to the trunk at the base of the oldest leaf sheath and was slightly pendulous. And what is meant by the term induplicate and reduplicate?

azrael · 16th March 2008, 04:14 AM

Induplicate/reduplicate refers to the how a leaflet is attached to the rachis ... Induplicate leaflets attached with a V and reduplicate leaves attach with upside-down-V (or A for want of a better keyboard symbol).

In fact image 5524 shows these leaflets attach with an inverted V = reduplicate ... sorry I missed it before.

Anyways ... this arrangement seen in the Cocosoideae sub-family or the Arecoidae sub-family ... hence helpful in eliminating the three other sub-families (which have induplicate leaves).

SO we know its got to be from either of these two sub-families ... choices are narrowing .........................................................

mmmm .... bingo ..... Rhopalostylis sapida (Nikau Palm) ... a NZ native Palm

Rhopalostylis sapida - Google Search
PlantFiles: Pictures of Shaving Brush Palm, Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)

Bernard Keays · 17th March 2008, 05:14 AM

Thanks...We get the 'odd' Kiwi around here but I didn't know they had their own palms.

macrocarpa · 15th May 2008, 07:24 PM

Bernie,

Your best bet is to ring Stan Walkley at Plantation 2000 Nursery; he's not far from you. He's one of the best palm guys on the face of our wonderful world!

Macro

Bernard Keays · 16th May 2008, 04:16 AM

Thanks Macro...I'm starting to see them every where now. More common than I thought. I went down to Stans nursery about a month ago. He's got an impressive collection of plants (especially his cycads). He had an unusual fig from Mexico and some odd ball stuff from Madagascar and South Africa. I wouldn't mind planting some of his bottle trees either.

14th March 2008, 10:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: Palm Identification Interesting. Looking at first I think Kentia, the stem anyway, however the Kentia leaves droop more. Also kentia fronds are thinner where these are similar to majestic fronds. Now the flower, could be deformed or fungus ... so I aint 100% sold that's the deal yet. Good quiz, and palm ID out there is bad I have found, so lets go hunting. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th March 2008, 07:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
azrael Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Earth Australia Posts: 335	Re: Palm Identification How about Lytocaryum weddellianum (Feather Palm) as a guess ... Google Image Result for http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Lytocaryum/weddellianum.jpg Inflorescence position would help ...and if leaflets are induplicate (V) or reduplicate ... or any other distingushing feature (such as bloom on the underside of leaflets). Yup ...palms are not easy to ID ... anyway that my (first) guess ...I get 3 goes at it dont I ... (Ekka)????

15th March 2008, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,869	Re: Palm Identification You get as many goes as you like, I searched but cannot find and also haven't seen such a whacko palm before. I visit the botanical gardens often and haven't seen one there either. Nice one Bernard __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

15th March 2008, 10:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bernard Keays Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glasshouse Posts: 41	Re: Palm Identification Thanks guys. Ekka...I though it was a kentia palm (H. forsteriana) too when I first saw it but the leaves weren't right. I don't know but could it be another species of kentia (H. belmoreana)? I'm not familiar with Azrael's suggestion either but probably need to read up a bit more on my plant anatomy. The inflorescence was attached to the trunk at the base of the oldest leaf sheath and was slightly pendulous. And what is meant by the term induplicate and reduplicate? __________________ Bernie

16th March 2008, 04:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
azrael Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Earth Australia Posts: 335	Re: Palm Identification Induplicate/reduplicate refers to the how a leaflet is attached to the rachis ... Induplicate leaflets attached with a V and reduplicate leaves attach with upside-down-V (or A for want of a better keyboard symbol). In fact image 5524 shows these leaflets attach with an inverted V = reduplicate ... sorry I missed it before. Anyways ... this arrangement seen in the Cocosoideae sub-family or the Arecoidae sub-family ... hence helpful in eliminating the three other sub-families (which have induplicate leaves). SO we know its got to be from either of these two sub-families ... choices are narrowing ......................................................... mmmm .... bingo ..... Rhopalostylis sapida (Nikau Palm) ... a NZ native Palm Rhopalostylis sapida - Google Search PlantFiles: Pictures of Shaving Brush Palm, Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)

17th March 2008, 05:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bernard Keays Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glasshouse Posts: 41	Re: Palm Identification Thanks...We get the 'odd' Kiwi around here but I didn't know they had their own palms. __________________ Bernie

15th May 2008, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
macrocarpa I'm new here so be nice Join Date: May 2008 Location: brisbane Posts: 2	Re: Palm Identification Bernie, Your best bet is to ring Stan Walkley at Plantation 2000 Nursery; he's not far from you. He's one of the best palm guys on the face of our wonderful world! Macro

16th May 2008, 04:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bernard Keays Sappling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Glasshouse Posts: 41	Re: Palm Identification Thanks Macro...I'm starting to see them every where now. More common than I thought. I went down to Stans nursery about a month ago. He's got an impressive collection of plants (especially his cycads). He had an unusual fig from Mexico and some odd ball stuff from Madagascar and South Africa. I wouldn't mind planting some of his bottle trees either. __________________ Bernie

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