Burretiokentia hapala from New Caledonia.  Burretiokentia is an exciting genus with about six species.  B. hapala is an easy species for us to grow in Southern California.  It is cold tolerant into the upper 20 degrees F. and likes strong filtered light, part day sun, etc.  Inland it needs protection from direct sun.  It is medium height, perhaps to 20 to 25 feet here  It's trunk is thin.  The overall appearance is elegant and pleasing.  Its growth rate is medium.

Burretiokentia vieillardii is another species of this genus.  It has similar overall characteristics as B. hapala, but shows off an unusual striped crown shaft.  It is a bit more cold sensitive compared to hapala, but quite beautiful.

Burretiokentia vieillardii crown shaft.  Often these stripes are even more prominent, thus giving it the common name of Tiger Palm.

Burretiokentia koghiensis on Mt. Koghi, New Caledonia.  This is another species we grow.

Caryota gigas, the "Giant Mountain Fishtail" and "Black Fishtail"

Caryota gigas is an example of a single trunk Fishtail Palm.  Introduced into cultivation in the 1990's, it has become quite popular.  It is a big palm with a very fat trunk, typically getting up to about 40 feet.  Give it room.  Along the coast it prefers full sun.  Inland desert sun may be too much for it.

Caryota gigas in the arboretum at Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Chambeyronia macrocarpa is a medium sized, crown shafted palm with wide leaflets and a newly emergent red leaf.  It is known as the Blushing Palm and the Flame Thrower Palm.  It is native to New Caledonia.  It's leaves have a thick substance.  Overall height is about 25 feet, sometimes taller.  It is very popular among enthusiasts.  There are multiple species of Chambeyronia.   

Above is a closer view of the crown of the plant above

Another Chambeyronia macrocarpa in a public planting

A newly emerging red leaf of Chambeyronia macrocarpa in a garden setting.

Chambeyronia hookeri is quite similar to C. macrocarpa except for the color of the crown shaft.  Note that it is a creamy yellow as compared to a darkish green with macrocarpa.  WE do have C. hookeri for sale up to 20g size.  There are a few other quite rare forms of Chambeyronia that become available for sale from time to time.

Above is another photo of Dypsis decipiens in the wild,  Photo by JS

Dypsis decipiens is a very popular but slow growing species from Madagascar.  It is typically medium sized, likes full sun, and is surprisingly cold hardy.  It may be single trunk or suckering. 

Dypsis decaryi, the Triangle Palm, in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

Dypsis decaryi in Madagascar, photo by MR

Dypsis decaryi, known as the Triangle Palm, is a sun-loving species that is medium sized and has a bit of cold hardiness.  Native to Madagascar, it is quite popular among collectors and likes heat, full sun and good drainage.  Mature height is about 20 to 25 feet. 

Another public planting of Dypsis decaryi

Dypsis leptocheilos, the Teddy Bear Palm.  This medium sized Dypsis deserves special mention because it is really a unique and beautiful species.  It has a rather thin, silver, prominently ringed trunk and an orange-brown, fuzzy crown shaft.  Thus, the name "Teddy Bear Palm".  It has some degree of cold hardiness and doesn't get too large.  People are easily attracted to this species because of it's unique beauty.

A close up view of the crown and trunk, showing its color and the silver trunk.

Euterpe edulis is native to South America and known as the "Heart of Palm" and Jucara Palm.  The former name is given because the heart of this species is an edible delicacy, often used in salads.  It is a crown shafted, thin, medium-tall species.  It has droopy leaves and can survive outdoors in Southern California.  When young it prefers filtered light, working its way into the full sun.  Maximum height is about 30 feet.  Cold tolerance is the upper 20's F.

A look at the trunk and green seeds of Euterpe edulis. Many readers might have heard of the recent craze over the "Acai" berry drinks.  This is made from the seeds of a Euterpe species.

Hedyscepe canterburyana, the Umbrella Palm & Big Mountain palm, is endemic to Lord Howe Island.  It has the shape reminiscent of an umbrella and grows about half way up the mountains of Lord Howe.  It is a medium sized palm that has a silver crown shaft and a silver, prominently ringed trunk.  The fruit is a gorgeous red, about the size of a small egg.  It tolerates sun in the coastal areas of California but needs protection inland or in the desert.  It has moderate cold hardiness, about like a Howea forsteriana.

The beautiful trunk and crown shaft of Hedyscepe

Hedyscepe can grow in shadier conditions, but likes a bit of sun.  You can see the prominent rings on the trunk.

Howea forsteriana, the Kentia Palm, the Sentry Palm.  This is a picture of the crowns of two specimen plants. 

This is a grouping of multiple Howea forsteriana at Mission Bay Park in San Diego, CA.  Note the medium height and not overly thick trunks.

The two plants to the left are Howea forsteriana.  The one to the right is Archontophoenix cunninghamiana.  Howea forsteriana are a very popular plant. This species is quite versatile and can be grown inside the home our outside in areas that don't get too cold.  It tolerates full coastal sun, filtered light inland and gets up to about 30 to 35 feet of height.  It is planted as it occurs naturally, single trunk, or can be planted as multiples together to give more fullness.  It makes an ideal house plant.

Another type of Howea is H. belmoreana, which has a recurved leaf and overall a smaller crown than H. forsteriana.  We have these for sale as well.  They get up to about 25 feet or more.

The genus Hyophorbe is an old, established genus with several remarkable species.  Above is a mature Hyophorbe lagenicaulis in fruit.  Known as the Bottle Palm, this species never gets too tall, perhaps to about 15 feet.  It is known for its very swollen base, thus given the name "Bottle Palm".  We will show pictures of three Hyophorbe here, and the Bottle Palm is the least cold hardy of the three.  They like full sun along the coast and don't really tolerate a freeze.  They also appreciate good heat..

Hyophorbe lagenicaulis base on a medium aged tree.  Note how it's most swollen at the very bottom of the trunk.

Note how the trunk of this Hyophorbe verschafeltii is thinner at the bottom and swollen in the middle of the trunk.  That's why it's called the Spindle Palm.  It also likes full sun but is a bit more cold tolerant than the Bottle Palm.  It also gets up to about 15 feet.

Note how the trunk is most swollen on this Spindle Palm just below the crown shaft.

Hyophorbe indica is more cold tolerant than both the species above.  It's trunk is irregular and somewhat lumpy, but certainly not real swollen like it's two sisters above.  But it is still quite cool as you can see.  This is the easiest species to grow in Southern California.  It likewise likes heat and sun.  There is a "red" and "green" form of this species.

Kentiopsis oliviformis, the most popular Kentiopsis species, is becoming more popular.  It's leaves are green but sometimes have a bit of blue color to them.  It is think trunked and can get taller than a King Palm.  It is very graceful and a moderately quick grower.

Kentiopsis oliviformis

Kentiopsis magnifica

Kentiopsis as a group are a very sought-after genus of palms.  They are medium sized and quite graceful with thin crown shafts.  Along the coast they tolerate full sun but inland need protection.  K. oliviformis has proven to be fairly cold hardy and fairly easy to grow.

Ravenea rivularis, the Majesty Palm

Ravenea are a genus endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands.  They can be large trees or small.  They do not have a crown shafts like seen on the many Dypsis species from the same area.  The most common species, Ravenea rivularis, has a large trunk and can obtain a height of over 40 feet.  The genus is quite diverse with miniature species and rather massive species.  All species in this genus are sought after by collectors.  Cold tolerance is variable, but many species will tolerate some degree of freeze.  There are many more species that we grow than shown on these pages.

Ravenea rivularis in the wild in Madagascar, photo by MR     

Ravenea moorei

Ravenea madagascarensis var. monticola in a domestic garden.  Note, there is some controversy over this name.

Ravenea hildebrandtii, a dward species of Ravena from Madagascar

Above is a group planting of Rhopalostylis sapida in Balboa Park, Can Diego, CA  Rhopalostylis is a genus with two, possibly three or more species.  These include R. sapida, baueri, and cheesmanii.  The reason I say there might be more "species" is because plants from some islands around New Zealand look different and would perhaps at the least be considered varieties.  All are medium height when mature, prominently crown shafted (sometimes bulging), prefer light filtered light or perhaps full sun in the case of R. sapida along the coast.  All are rather slow growing.  The common names used for Rhopalostylis sapida  include the Shaving Brush Palm, The Feather Duster Palms, and Nikau Palm.  R. bauerii is known as the Norfolk Island Palm.   

Rhopalostylis sapida, closer view of the crowns

Rhopalostylis baueri in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 

The plant above appears to be a hybrid between Rhopalostylis sapida and bauerii.  It is quite attractive.

Roystonea regia, the Cuban Royal Palm, is pictured above.  Royal Palms as a group are tall, sun loving palms with full crowns that come from Florida, Cuba, the Caribbean and South America.  Known for their bulging trunks, they are very sought after.  The one from Cuba, the "Cuban Royal Palm" is most commonly seen. 

Roystonea oleracea, the South American Royal Palm, has a crown that is more upright compared to the Cuban Royal.

Roystonea borinquena is another attractive Royal Palm and has proven to be perhaps a bit more cold tolerant than other species.

Wodyetia bifurcata, the Foxtail Palm.  This species was introduced in the late 1980's and has been very popular.  This is mostly because it doesn't get too tall, has a thin attractive trunk and crown shaft and has a small crown of fluffy leaves.  Its crown shaft is silver green and the plumose character of the leaves lends to the name "Foxtail".  It is cold tolerant to about 24 degrees F. and demands full sun.  Near the coast with damp and moist air, the leaves can brown tip.  The anticipated height in California is usually about 25 feet, although in the tropics it can get a bit taller.  This species has been hybridized with Veitchia producing a very desirable cross that grows great.

A smaller Wodyetia bifurcata in fruit.

The hybrid cross Wodyetia X Veitchia, known as the "Foxy Lady Palm".  We do have these for sale.