Dypsis saintelucei, Lost and Found

[Cindy Adair]

As I mentioned in my video post, I had even sadly omitted this species from my inventory when I didn't see it literally for years. If I hadn't spotted the bit of orange flagging tape on the leaning PVC pipe it would still be MIA.

So after Wal's comment, could someone please confirm this palm's identity. I'm certain of the label, but are other palms of this type ending up being imposters, albeit lovely ones?

[Savannah1]

Hi Cindy. I recently bought a D. saintelucei from Jeff at Floribunda and it looks almost identical to yours except that the crown shaft is bright white.

What do you think?

[Cindy Adair]

Here's a photo from Tim (Realarch) from April 2013 showing his gorgeous trio.

Savannah 1, your lovely palm shows the same white that mine does not. Mine also came from Floribunda. I don't know if the white dusting comes in later or if mine needs a new name.

Here are 3 good links but I'm still not sure about my plant's name.

http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/28449-dypsis-basilonga-or-d-saintelucei-dwarf/

http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Dypsis_saintelucei

http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Dypsis/saintelucei.html

Below is my "Dwarf" for comparison.

[Kim]

D. saintelucei will have the white powdery look; D. saintelucei 'dwarf' is different, and a possible misnomer, if I understood correctly when I bought mine, and also if I remember correctly, which is debatable. Cindy, what was the palm in your first post labeled?

[Cindy Adair]

The palm in the first post was labeled as Dypsis saintelucei, not 'dwarf'. I see no hint of white yet on this one. My palm with the name of Dypsis saintelucei 'dwarf' is younger and smaller, but I think I see some white.

Since the two palms are so far apart on my farm and were planted years apart I don't think I mislabeled them. I did know when I planted the first in 2010 that they were different palms....

Anybody else have a guess? Of course I may have to check back with new photos when they get bigger!