S.O.S. A Nypa for the Palmetum

[Carlo Morici]

Dear friends,

We need some seeds of Nypa fruticans to grow at the Palmetum de Santa Cruz de Tenerife. We are growing about 400 species and the collection is increasing, because lots of new seeds arrive regularly as collections, exchanges or donations. Nypa is not one of them, but we have a floodable spot in the garden ready for it and the few visitors we get want to see one.

Nypa is an especially important palm to keep for didactical purposes: it is the only palm from marine waters, it is on its own branch within the palm family, it is seldom represented in gardens... lastly you can make smoking paper out of the leaf segments

So we need a Nypa. We had some thriving plants that died in a drought during the "dark years" (maybe "dry" years??).

Can anybody send a packet with a few fresh seeds?

Thank you,

Carlo

[cfkingfish]

Carlo-

I would have sent you some from the seeds I had, but they got too big to ship. It is just too hard to ship an aquatic plant of size and not have it dry out. Get a seed (germinated off the bract) and you should be good to go. Those actually ship well because they are weaning off the embryo.

[RainForestt Robert]

The last issue of Palms said that this was an invasive species in Trinidad. Have not seen any. If I see any and come across any seeds I will send some to the Palmetum. Carlo, pm me your address.

Robert

[Carlo Morici]

Christian, seeds are perfect. Seeds travel better than plants, they are safer and easier to import to the islands.

Rob, there is an article in a past issue of Palms with a map of Nypa in Trinidad: BACON, P.R. 2001. Germination of Nypa fruticans in Trinidad. Palms 45: 38-43.

Maybe some forum members from Asia can have easier access to fruiting nypas?

Thank you.

Carlo

[rozpalm]

This is a palm I am looking for as well. Is there anyone in South Florida growing these?

[rthink]

Carlo,

I may be able to help you on these. Just pm me.

[Kris]

Here is a visual of that lovely water palm :-

Love,

Kris

[rozpalm]

Kris, thanks for the great picture. I sure hope I can find one or two decent size ones in my area. I have the perfect spot for them.

[Jeff Searle]

This is a palm I am looking for as well. Is there anyone in South Florida growing these?

Your best bet would be try going to the Palm Beach Palm Society sale coming up in a couple of weeks( I believe, better check) if not there, the South Florida sale is coming up on Nov. 1st and 2nd, down at Fairchild Tropical Garden.

Carlo,

Good luck in your search for seeds. The gardens should have this palm planted out. Have you sent Joseph a PM to see if he has seeds now or will be getting some soon?

Jeff

[rozpalm]

Thanks Jeff!

[Kris]

Dear Rozpalm

you are welcome !

And Dear Carlo's

i need sometime to find those seeds for you,since even iam trying to grow this palm from seeds.

though some local nurseries here stock this medium sized palm but they are selling at very exorbitant prices,which i feel is not worth that money at all..

Lots of love,

Kris

[simona]

Thanks for showing those great pictures, Kris!

Where have you spotted that beautiful palm? Is that garden in your neighbourhood?