Difference between revisions of "Chamaedorea amabilis"

Revision as of 01:24, 9 November 2012

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Panama city, Panama. Photo by Zulli Franceschi, edric.

Chamaedorea amabilis
Scientific Classification
Genus: Chamaedorea Species: amabilis
Synonyms
Chamaedorea coclensis, Nunnezharia amabilis
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Grows in wet forest between 500 & 1000 m. altitudes, on the slope of Cordilleras de Tilaran, Central and Talamanca in Costa Rica , and Serrania de Tabasara in Panama.

Description

This is a very slow-growing, thin-stemmed (1/4"/6 cm.), bifid-leaved palm. It can grow up to 8'/2.5 m. tall in a warm Mediterranean climate. The bifid leaves are 6"-10"/15-25 cm. long, have parallel sides and are markedly ridged and stiff. Most plants tend to only hold 3-5 leaves at a time. Solitary stem. 1.5 2 m. tall and 1 1.5 cm. in diameter 3 to 7 leaves in the crown. Petioles, (beyond sheath). 5-17 cm. , with tubular sheath. Simple and bifid leaf-blade, elliptical to oblong, insised distally to 1/4 the total length with margins prominently serrate. Ascending, infrafoliar inflorescence. Male greenish and aromatic and green spicate the female. The fruits are smooth, subglobose to oblong, black when ripe and 0.7 cm. in diameter.

General: Chamaedorea amabilis is a very beautiful palm, easily recognized by its simple and oblong blades, prominent serrate leaf borders, shallowly bifid and with numerous lateral veins. This species is very uncommon and is found only in very wet forests on the slopes of altitude.

Culture

This is one of the less cold tolerant palms that succeed in a Mediterranean climate with about a 10a-10b USDA climate (temps rarely below freezing) but not super hot (will not tolerate desert climates). It is very needy of moisture and humidity, requiring constantly moist, well-drained soil, and frequent misting in a dry, Mediterranean climate. Best, if affordable, to have reverse osmosis water to keep from brown-tipping the leaves badly. Brown tipping leaves also result from low humidity, hot, dry winds, and lack of watering. Snails like this palm and can shred it overnight. It likes no direct sunlight.

Comments and Curiosities

Chamaedorea are dioecious, male, and female flowers, on separate plants.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key

References

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

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