Basselinia Quartet in Puerto Rico

[Cindy Adair]

 I missed out on the IPS New Caledonia Biennial because I hadn’t joined IPS yet! The pictures from a PalmTalk search look amazing!

 

I doubt I even knew where New Caledonia was at that time (between Australia and Fiji). Some day I hope to visit, but until then I imagine by looking at some of the endemics that I am trying to grow in Puerto Rico.

 

I have four Basselinias, all small as you will see. According to The Encyclopedia of Palms, Second Edition and Genus Palmarum, Second Edition there are a total of 12 species of this genus all native to New Caledonia.

 

I read today that they are named after Olivier Basselin, a French poet who lived in the 15th century. If I had access to free wifi I would research why his name was so honored.

 

Any other palm genera named after poets?

 

All these are monoecious which is fortunate since I only have one each. All of mine are in shade or partial shade at my 900 feet elevation with plenty of rain, including right now! 

 

Here’s Basselinia (which I learned I had been incorrectly calling Basselina..) favieri, which is solitary and grows to around 30 feet.

 

 

 

Next is Basselinia glabrata which is solitary and grows to 40 feet  and according to the Encyclopedia is “elegance personified”.

 

 

 

 

Here is my little Basselinia humboltiana for Mt. Humble in New Caledonia 30 feet and solitary.

 

 

 

 

Lastly I have Basselinia eriostachys not listed in the Encyclopedia or Genera Palmarum. I am sorry to not be able to offer more information other than that supplied from my books today. Perhaps a search of my journals or on PalmTalk would supply information about this name or alternate names?

 

 

 

Could I tell these apart at this stage? Probably not but am beginning to at least recognize what the genus looks like when it is tiny.

 

Who grows these? Please share any photos or information on your own or those you have seen anywhere. Thanks!

 

 

[richnorm]

B. eriostachys was split out from B. minor.   It's a clumper.  cheers R

[LJG]

It came out of Basselinia gracilis. 

Good start to your NewCal palm bug. I find most Basselinia challenging to grow but worth the effort. I have easily killed more palms in this genus than all other palm genus combined.

[richnorm]

Ooops!  Don't seem able to edit anymore....

[BS Man about Palms]

Ditto what Len said!