Naturalization in North America

[Jimbean]

What species could be naturalized realistically in any given location (Texas, Florida, California, etc.).  Particularly species already native to North America (i.e. washingtonia robusta in south Texas).

[Jimbean]

I would go about it by looking at each limiting factor in isolation first, and then over lay all of them onto a map.  Next, I would look at each species individual requirements. 

[Jimbean]

What are the limiting factors? 

1.) daytime heating

2.) record lows

3.) water/humidity

4.) growth rate (faster growing species naturalize more easily)

5.) soil nutrition

Am I missing anything else?

[Jimbean]

now take a map and mark all known record lows.  Next, subtract any slow growing species.  The slower growing the species, the more likely that it requires a specific habitat.

Edited January 5, 2016 by Jimbean

[cm05]

I think Sabal minor and Rhapidophyllum hystrix could be naturalized throughout much of zone 7/8 in the eastern U.S., they'll get the heat and moisture they require, maybe not as much they're accustomed to, but enough to keep them looking healthy in most cases.

I don't see why we don't see too many cold hardier strains of certain palms, yet other types of trees and plants can come with all sorts of adaptations. Southern magnolias in zone 5/6? Why no zone 7 Sabal palmettos, or moisture tolerant W. filiferas?

[Jimbean]

3 hours ago, cm05 said:

I don't see why we don't see too many cold hardier strains of certain palms, yet other types of trees and plants can come with all sorts of adaptations. Southern magnolias in zone 5/6? Why no zone 7 Sabal palmettos, or moisture tolerant W. filiferas?

That I think is a very good question. 

[Jimbean]

Well, there are cold hardier variations of Sabal minor, but Rhapidophyllum is I think too slow growing to develop cultivars, it is possible though.  Sabal palmettos should certainly be doable. 

[DoomsDave]

Here, the big limiting factor is availability of water, and a long cool season.

That said, I'll bet things like Sabals could naturalize along streams in the desert.

Phoenix canariensis have naturalized here, as have Braheas. Syagrus romanzoffianum has semi-naturalized along creeks in RIverside, at least they had back in the 1980s.

[Jimbean]

I would assume the two species of washingtonia should grow well there too.

[Ben in Norcal]

1 hour ago, Jimbean said:

I would assume the two species of washingtonia should grow well there too.

They don't need to be naturalized in California though, as they are native to the California Floristic Province.  Technically, as well, at least some Brahea don't need to be naturalized in California as they are also native to the province.  Maybe there are others I'm not thinking of already native to the province as well?

[Ed in Houston]

Sabal Mexicana that anecdotally from early explorers used to be widely present as far north as river courses in central Texas appears to be reestablishing itself especially in the Austin Area. My hypothesis is that it froze out in central Texas down to the Rio Grande Valley at the tail end of the Little Ice Age but is now is coming back with warming temperatures.

Ed in Houston

[Jimbean]

3 hours ago, Ben in Norcal said:

They don't need to be naturalized in California though, as they are native to the California Floristic Province.  Technically, as well, at least some Brahea don't need to be naturalized in California as they are also native to the province.  Maybe there are others I'm not thinking of already native to the province as well?

This includes species already naturalized or that can be planted and not be taken care of.  In California, Washingtonia filifera makes a great candidate as it is already wild in a few locations.

[Jimbean]

3 hours ago, Ed in Houston said:

Sabal Mexicana that anecdotally from early explorers used to be widely present as far north as river courses in central Texas appears to be reestablishing itself especially in the Austin Area. My hypothesis is that it froze out in central Texas down to the Rio Grande Valley at the tail end of the Little Ice Age but is now is coming back with warming temperatures.

Ed in Houston

Record lows I suppose change over time.  Sabal Mexicana looks like an excellent candidate for naturalization. 

[Bigfish]

3 hours ago, Jimbean said:

Well, there are cold hardier variations of Sabal minor, but Rhapidophyllum is I think too slow growing to develop cultivars, it is possible though.  Sabal palmettos should certainly be doable. 

Rhapidophyllum is native from Hardee County, FL all the way north to Bibb County, AL (and several other counties at similar latitudes).  Those Central Alabama provenances should be more cold-hardy than those from any part of Florida.  Sure, they are slow, but S. minor isn't exactly a speed demon!  S. palmetto from Bald Head Island, NC have shown to be more cold-hardy than Florida natives, but are also slower growing.  There are plenty of suitable habitats further north of their native range (talking S. minor and Rhapidophyllum) that shouldn't make it a problem for them to naturalize there.

[Jimbean]

I'm surprised Rhapidophyllum does not grow naturally in Louisiana.  

[Alicehunter2000]

Always wondered why Washingtonia won't naturalize in Florida. 

[Jimbean]

washingtonia robusta does where I live.

[Jimbean]

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.4037859,-80.728217,3a,75y,10.53h,73.18t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sAYutUq362U_i25aCsjygZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

up and down the waterway.

[Bigfish]

3 hours ago, Jimbean said:

I'm surprised Rhapidophyllum does not grow naturally in Louisiana.  

I'd be willing to bet that it is somewhere in LA.  Rhapidophyllum is in Amite County, MS, just north of LA.  Bet you could find it somewhere along the border in LA.

[knell]

Phoenix canariensis in San Rafael open space... wild on the hills and fruiting like crazy.

[Laaz]

For my area it would be butia. These are the most planted feather palm here on the Carolina coast & there are millions of them. The tree rats & other rodents take the dropped fruit & carry them off. I find them growing in the woods all the time...

[Jimbean]

I suppose palms from Patagonia do well in the Southeast.  I see queen palms naturalizing around my area.

[John Case]

Waiting for the Queens to become naturalized here. Seeds are everywhere and the landscapers are having more and more to discard every year. Waiting for a guerrilla planting somewhere around here soon.....

[Ben in Norcal]

8 minutes ago, John Case said:

Waiting for the Queens to become naturalized here. Seeds are everywhere and the landscapers are having more and more to discard every year. Waiting for a guerrilla planting somewhere around here soon.....

I was thinking of guerrilla planting a Queen multiple in your yard, John. 

[John Case]

That would be a trick.......I had a thought for your hole in the front yard, though...Trithrinax schizophylla.....perfect!

Or maybe T. acnthocoma......

[Jimbean]

haha, that's funny!  Guerrilla planting of queens, that's hilarious.

Edited January 7, 2016 by Jimbean

[John Case]

1 minute ago, Jimbean said:

haha, that's funny!  Guerrilla planting a queens, that's hilarious.

Either that or someone needs to come up with a recipe for S. romanozoffalalalalala pie.....

[John Case]

I have a number of queens in the neighbor's yard to the rear of my property....can't wait until these rat bastids start dropping seeds into my cycads (to be planted this year).

[Jimbean]

3 hours ago, John Case said:

Either that or someone needs to come up with a recipe for S. romanozoffalalalalala pie.....

I would give you a truckload if you are willing to pay for shipping.

[John Case]

Just now, Jimbean said:

I would give you a truckload if you are willing to pay for shipping.

I might pay more for you to keep them.....