Chamaedorea elegans

Patio specimine, Lemon Grove, CA

Chamaedorea elegans

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Chamaedorea
Species:	elegans

Synonyms

Chamaedorea lindeniana, Chamaedorea martiana, Collinia humilis, Chamaedorea humilis, Chamaedorea helleriana, Chamaedorea deppeana, Neanthe bella, Neanthe elegans, Collinia elegans, Chamaedorea pulchella, Chamaedorea elegantissima.

Native Continent

America

Morphology

Habit:	Solitary
Leaf type:	Pinnate

Culture

Survivability index

Common names

Bella palm, Parlor palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Native to the dense rain forests of Southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

Description

Trunk type: Solitary. Hight: To 3 meters,(9'), trunk ringed by leaf scars, diameter, to 2.5 centimeters,(1"). Leaf detail: Pinnately compound, alternately opposed, up to 40, dark green, 8" ovoid pinnae per rachis, approximately 2 centimeters,(.8") wide. One of the best indoor Chamaedoreas, tolerating crowded roots and low light levels. Since lower leaves drop from the plant as it grows, older palms have all their foliage on top of the bright green, shiny stem. It grows five to eight feet tall but is usually kept smaller by pruning the stem back nearly to the ground. Growing very slowly, this pale green, single-stemmed palm is most effective when potted three or more to a container. It can also be an effective accent plant in a ground hugging ground cover in a small scale garden. While excellent when used for a house plant, Parlor Palm can also be used outdoors in a shady understory setting as an accent. The showy stems are bright green.

Culture

Requirements: Full shade to heavily filtered light, consistently moist soil, well drained position, will tolerate extreme drought, often planted more than one to a container. Probably the most commonly grown indoor palm in the world. Very resiliant to low light, air-conditioning, drying out, and over watering (tho not necessarily enjoying any of them.

Culture: Shaded, sheltered, and moist. Very good indoor plant.

Curiosities

The inflorescences have a slightly bitter taste, and are considered a delicacy in El Salvador and Guatemala. They are usually eaten in salads, or covered in egg batter and fried. The latter dish is called "rellenos de pacaya", and is often served with tomato sauce, like chiles rellenos. Chamaedorea are dioecious, male, and female flowers, on separate plants.