Purple crownshaft Royal Palms

[Jeff in St Pete]

I flew over to San Jose yesterday to meet up with a friend and his family.  We stayed at

a private house in San Jose for the night and then flew to Quepos this morning.  While we

were at the house yesterday I walked around the grounds and noticed these Royals growing near the

pool cabana.  I remember someone posted similar pictures in another post but I don't remember

who posted them or where the Royals were growing?  Anyway, I just couldn't believe the color

on these crownshafts.

I wondered, did the owner see the crownshaft and say "paint the trim THAT color!"

[Jeff in St Pete]

A couple more

[Dypsisdean]

Carlo posted some pics of a red crownshaft Royal a while back. I wonder if he ever got any seeds of those.

What are the chances of getting seeds off of these?

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks Dean, yes it was Carlo, I remember now.  

My employer is investing in this house so I will be there occasionally throughout the year.  I will be on the lookout for seeds and I will ask the gardner not to trim them off.  I'm wondering though if the seeds would produce purple colored Royals or if this is more the result of climate?  These are growing in a cool climate since the house is high on a mountainside overlooking the Central Valley and temps are much cooler there.  I've seen similar looking Royals before (although not this deep purple) and they were always growing in cool tropical places.

[junglegalfla]

Wow..gorgeous!

[JakeK]

Jeff,

I don't know if it's genetics or a result of a cooler climate, but I did see a couple royals with the same purple hue in Tres Rios which is due East of San Jose in the state of Cartago. Tres Rios is at 4700' which is 1000' higher than San Jose. I also noticed quite a few coconuts growing in Tres Rios not too far away from the church there. I don't know if they fruit, but Tres Rios has a very cool climate with most days rarely going above 72*F.

[realarch]

Wow those are beautiful!. Funny, the purple color matches the fascia of the house. Hope all is well Jeff.

Tim

[Jeff in St Pete]

Thanks Bren!

Jake, I can't even remember the names of the towns where I saw this coloration in the crownshaft before.  They were towns that I went through on the way to Arenal and Monteverde.  I really do wonder if altitude or climate have anything to do with it?

Hey Tim, yeah I noticed that too!  I'm doing great, thanks!

[Davidl]

I seen a royal here in Moore Haven Fl that was like that a month or so ago. It was not as colorful but it had the red crownshaft .

[spockvr6]

(Davidl @ Mar. 16 2008,20:53)

QUOTE

I seen a royal here in Moore Haven Fl that was like that a month or so ago. It was not as colorful but it had the red crownshaft .

David-

One of mine does the same thing.  The coloring is more of a burgundy type hue.

Personally, I much prefer the bright green!

[Jeff in St Pete]

Hi David and Larry, I remember seeing ones in FL with the reddish or maroon coloration but never this color before.  They looked SO purple to me.  And I agree, I like the green ones the best, but this would make a great novelty palm!

[Jeff Searle]

Jeff,

   That's pretty interesting. I remember seeing the red color crowns, but I just can't believe my eyes again! Thanks,

Jeff

[Jeff in St Pete]

Jeff, I wish we could take a little side trip to see these palms.  It really was an amazing and unusual sight.