Heterospathe longipes

Floribunda Palms, Hawaii.

Heterospathe (heht-eh-ro-SPATH-eh) longipes (lohn-JIH-pehz)

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Heterospathe (heht-eh-ro-SPATH-eh)
Species:	longipes (lohn-JIH-pehz)

Synonyms

Alsmithia longipes

Native Continent

Oceania

Morphology

Habit:	solitary

Height:	10-12ft/3-3.6m
Trunk diameter:	8in/20cm

Culture

Sun exposure:	Mild full sun.
Watering:	moderate-wet
Soil type:	well draining.

Survivability index

Common names

None.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Fiji, lives in the low elevation rain forests.

Description

It is a monoecious, pinnate palm that is relatively sparsely leaved and grows to a height of only about 10'-12'/3-3.6m. New leaf color is red-orange.

Culture

This is a decidedly tropical palm, marginal in subtropical climates like South Florida. Does great in Hawaii, though, where it is rapidly becoming a common "collector's" plant among palm enthusiasts. Most were disappointed when it lost its monotypic status, and got moved to the genus Heterospathe, so it may be a little less sought after now. Needs lots of water and constant warmth.

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!.

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

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

Special thanks to palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos, edric.

IMAGE GALLERY
UH, Hilo.
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii.
Floribunda Palms, Hawaii.
Hilo, Hawaii.
FIFI: Vanua Levu.
FIFI: Vanua Levu.
230 m. elev. Savusavu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands, Fiji. Photo by Jim Valentine, edric.
230 m. elev. Savusavu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands, Fiji. Photo by Jim Valentine, edric.
240 m. elev. Savusavu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni Islands, Fiji. Photo by Jim Valentine, edric.