Rhopalostylis Sapida in Habitat, New Zealand

[sipalms]

Looking back out to the South Pacific. A native lancewood / horoeka tree in the foreground.

 

Fisherman's bay - great for diving for seafood.

 

Back to the traditional farmhouse - quite a culture shock to see oak trees etc all of a sudden.

 

In my opinion? One of the ugliest palms on the planet... but adds to the Med vibe all the same! Akaroa town.

 

Another terribly cared for phoenix. These ones are young but there's heaps around the town. Some are extremely tall and date back to the early 1900s. Also in Akaroa there are an abundance of other 9a to 9b palms including Archontophoenix.

So that's that - next on the bucket list of the Nikau/Rhopalostylis is the Chatham Islands. Not sure if that will ever happen though...

[Darold Petty]

Thanks very much for posting these great photos !  

[cbmnz]

Great report on the whole experience/setting. That was more to the standard of a nature magazine professional article than a forum post!

[sipalms]

1 hour ago, cbmnz said:

Great report on the whole experience/setting. That was more to the standard of a nature magazine professional article than a forum post!

Thanks.... Was certainly a pretty epic setting. Interesting to observe these in person after hearing so many reports and speculations as to what variety/relation these are to all the other Nikau around the country.

[Tyrone]

Thanks for the pictures. Enjoyable viewing them. Your observations too are very interesting. This whole thread has been great.

[sipalms]

@Jim in Los Altos you might find some of these pics interesting - the terrain reminds me a lot of the San Francisco / NorCal Pacific coast area going by the couple of times I have visited. You might find some of the native vegetation of interest as well being a similar climate.

Edited November 17, 2020 by sipalms

[palmfriend]

Oh my gosh!

This is an epic documentation! Enjoyed every image - I really did! 

I am worried that we over here are not qualified enough for the lower (necessary) temps but I will give it a try and will

place an order for some seeds next time to find out! 

Thank you so much for sharing!

best regards from Okinawa -

Lars

 

[Jim in Los Altos]

13 hours ago, sipalms said:

@Jim in Los Altos you might find some of these pics interesting - the terrain reminds me a lot of the San Francisco / NorCal Pacific coast area going by the couple of times I have visited. You might find some of the native vegetation of interest as well being a similar climate.

Yes, very much so! Rhopalostylis is a fascinating genus and my garden just wouldn’t be the same without them. Your photo presentation is spectacular! 

[Tyrone]

21 hours ago, palmfriend said:

Oh my gosh!

This is an epic documentation! Enjoyed every image - I really did! 

I am worried that we over here are not qualified enough for the lower (necessary) temps but I will give it a try and will

place an order for some seeds next time to find out! 

Thank you so much for sharing!

best regards from Okinawa -

Lars

 

Maybe try Rhopalostylis bauerii first and see how you go. They tolerate warmer conditions better. I’d plant it in the shade but in an open breezy area where it can get a good sea breeze. The middle of summer with high minimums could be the issue, but then maybe not. 

[sipalms]

Below are some pics of Rhopalostylis Sapida 'Auckland' Variety, that I photographed at Pohuehue just north of Auckland yesterday.

Some of the key differences I observed between this variety and mainland Nikau include:

• The whole palm is much smaller, less robust and 'spindlier' than the much larger and more robust mainland varieties.
• The 'shuttlecock' crown is much tighter and upright compared to the more open wider spreading on mainland varieties.
• The petioles and crownshaft are a more tropical lime green compared to deeper, darker, more teal green on mainland.
• When exposed above canopy the crown is often very tatty looking. Doesn't appear to have very good wind or coastal tolerance. Best in thick forest.
• Below canopy the differences are less obvious. However, it appears as though this forms a trunk earlier and in many cases some of them looked like dwarf Nikau!

Enjoy.

Upon entry, you have to pass through the self-operated cleaning/disinfectant station.  No, this is not Covid related!!! It is to control a fungi that is lethal to the renowned Kauri (Agathis Australis) and has been spreading in native stands of the ancient tree.

Also some nice Kawakawa at the entrance.

 

Then, the palms :-)

 

 

Fresh seed everywhere.

 

This is what I mean by Dwarf Variety! The total palm couldn't have been more than about 2 metres tall and the trunk diameter around 150mm in the middle;

 

The Walk leads to a nice lookout with a small waterfall. 

 

I don't know the name of these epiphytes but they were everywhere.

 

Hope you enjoyed.

 

Edited March 10, 2021 by sipalms

[Tyrone]

Thanks for the pics. I enjoyed looking thru them . The Auckland variety looks like it has small seed compared to some of the others.

Some say that this form is not worth having but I love that tight upright shaving brush look.

[cbmnz]

I've seen old ones in Northland with 5-6m of trunk but fronds only 60cm (2ft) long. But plenty of great looking ones there two such as these near Maungaturoto.

Edited March 13, 2021 by cbmnz

[sipalms]

Sorry for the double posting of this, but thought I'd leave this video I made here on this thread as this thread has a more comprehensive record of Nikau in Habitat around NZ.

 

[HASNZ38S]

West Coast of the S.I.

Would be forgiven for thinking you were in a much warmer climate.

[HASNZ38S]

More photos of west coast of the S.I.

 

Edited August 28, 2021 by HASNZ38S

[HASNZ38S]

[Tyrone]

On 8/29/2021 at 5:17 AM, HASNZ38S said:

It’s amazing how tropical it looks but I bet few would swim there in winter at least. 

Those South Island Nikaus would be perfect for coastal plantings over here. I don’t have any South Island sapida but maybe one day that will change. 

[sipalms]

On 8/29/2021 at 9:09 AM, HASNZ38S said:

West Coast of the S.I.

Would be forgiven for thinking you were in a much warmer climate.

Where exactly were these pics taken? I assume near Karamea? I always thought you'd have to do half the Heaphy Track to get pics like this... I"m heading over there soon and would love to visit this location. 

[HASNZ38S]

On 8/30/2021 at 12:12 PM, sipalms said:

Where exactly were these pics taken? I assume near Karamea? I always thought you'd have to do half the Heaphy Track to get pics like this... I"m heading over there soon and would love to visit this location. 

Walked the Heaphy track. It would take the best part of 12 hours for a return hike from Karamea if you were to see these palms.

[Tyrone]

Any more habitat shots to share? Just enjoyed looking at this thread again.

Ive just planted up a new creek bank area with 10 Little Barrier Island R sapida form and I’m looking to habitat shots for inspiration to do more. 

[Darold Petty]

More is better, Tyrone,  keep planting !   

[richnorm]

56 minutes ago, Alexstudent said:

I wonder if you have some seeds for sale ?I am student , and we doing a project on arecae flora ( subtropical and temperate palms ).We need some seeds of nikau palm Pitt island or Chatham island varieties  , it is very difficult to find them . I know that these varieties is often planted in city plantings in Auckland , Northland and Auckland botanical gardens , I can also find tree locations of these ones in Auckland for you , so it will be easier to know exact place where they grow and you can collect seeds of them. I think they will be ripped    after Christmas ?You are my last hope , i hope you will be able to help me ,  we are also in big need for Rhopalostylis baueri seeds.. norfolk nikau , this one is also very common in City plantings or in botanical garden in Auckland . Both Pitt and Chatham Nikau , and Norfolk Nikau is fast growers , compared to Auckland variety of Nikau or mainland variety of Nikau .
Norfolk and Kermadec Nikau called for rhopalostylis baueri var. cheesemanii, and Rhopalostylis Baueri, Rhopalostylis sapida sp. Oceanica.( Chatham island variety ) I will ofcourse pay you extra for collecting them for me. You are my last hope , since I don’t know anybody Else from NZ who sale seeds, and it feels like I will never finish this project  .

The go to guy for Nikau seed is Gary Coleman (Posts as Gary in this thread) . 

Gary has a contact on the Chatham Islands so you can be sure of genetically true seed.  Pitt Island is just one of the islands in the Chatham group. 

Getting habitat collected baueri forms is much more difficult as the whole of the Kermadecs is a protected area and I think the Norfolk Island seed in the market is most likely from cultivation.  Gary also has an encyclopedic knowledge of cultivated Nikau provenance in Auckland which might help to minimise the risk of cross-pollinated seed. I suspect he will know of plantings away from sapida...

[richnorm]

2 hours ago, Alexstudent said:

Hello, thank you so much for the infromation and the answer, i will write to him. You know i dont need seeds from natural habitat, as long as it is Chatam variety , and baueri , it is ok.  It is ok if they are from cultivation. It seems almost impossible to get those seeds, i try and try but cant find them anywhere =( Wish you all the best, and greetings from cold Norway=) 

What quantity are you seeking?

[Zach K]

On 8/25/2020 at 2:36 PM, JasonD said:

Kauri do very well here in San Francisco, growing very quickly and looking quite symmetrical and dense even in shade, but there's no commercial source for them. I hope we can get viable seed from the cultivated trees this fall. 
Queensland kauri are more available in the California trade and old trees are scattered from here south through Southern California to San Diego.

The northernmost locale on the USA's West Coast where I'm aware of Araucaria heterophylla's growing is Brookings, Oregon, just north of the 42nd parallel of latitude, and the mildest place on the Oregon Coast. I have a friend who grows nikau there.

Thanks for the remarkable photos and information about nikau in habitat! What a great thread.

You have a friend who is growing Nikau in Brookings? Do they have any in ground on their property? 

As someone who lives relatively close by, I'd love to see that!

[Tyrone]

I’m so looking forward to visiting NZ next year. This thread although I’ve read it a few times has got me mega excited now. Having done research for our trip it all makes sense regarding where this and that is. The unfortunate thing though is we only have time for the North island but I’m already planning another South Island trip for another time. There is just so much to see and do in NZ. 

[Phil Petersen]

This video shows habitat from the perspective of an architecturally designed cabin nestled in amongst the palms. Super lush views 😍

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2PnbGCbcRYU

[Alberto]

Thanks for sharing this wonderfull pics and insights of the flora of NZ. From 30 sept to 10 october 2024 I will make a long trip from Auckland to Queenstown. I want to see a lot of the natural attractions of NZ. 

[harleyb]

The Manawatu Gorge track has seen an explosion of young nikaus in the last 20 years or so ever since cattle were excluded from the bush reserve. There are plenty of older palms there so abundant seed sources. Some patches of two-leaf seedlings are so dense they look like an overgrown Kikuyu lawn. Nice to see them recover so well! 🙂

 

[harleyb]

I'm also interested in trying to grow the Pitt Island variety, but getting seed from there seems to be all but impossible without actually going over myself to scoop up a bag. I'd be interested to know if anyone here has been able to get hold of any?

 

[harleyb]

I've been rescuing nikau palms from an eroding sandspit near our bach lately and giving them a new life in our garden at home. Normally they really don't take well to being moved but as these ones are growing in sand, it's easy enough to lift them out from the eroding sand cliff with the entire root system intact. Sadly, there's a mature palm not far back from the edge (you can see its stem in the second photo) that is clearly doomed to being taken by the sea but is too big to save. What a shame!

[Jonathan]

Wait till the roots wash out then get the local rugby team to help you lift it! 

Pity Nikau seeds never drifted west across the ditch...

Great thread, thanks to all contributors.

[Harry’s Palms]

Yay , free palms! If I were there I would tell my wife to “get the truck , we’re going to the beach!” Harry

[harleyb]

On 6/3/2024 at 1:35 AM, Harry’s Palms said:

Yay , free palms! If I were there I would tell my wife to “get the truck , we’re going to the beach!” Harry

Yeah I know! They're perfectly healthy and it's such a shame to see them being destroyed. Unfortunately access is only possible by foot or kayak so I can only retrieve palms that I can carry. That mature one probably won't be there by the time I next get back there.

There was a group of 11 really nice ones, about 2 metres tall, which I had my eye on a couple of months ago but by the time I got back there to retrieve them another round of spring tides had taken the lot. 😔

They are super abundant in this area. If you have a look at Google Street View at -38.81222, 174.59084 (where the erosion is taking place) you'll see loads of them on the inland side of the road. A very exposed location so they are a bit weather beaten but you get the idea.

[harleyb]

On 6/2/2024 at 6:26 PM, harleyb said:

I've been rescuing nikau palms from an eroding sandspit near our bach lately and giving them a new life in our garden at home. Normally they really don't take well to being moved but as these ones are growing in sand, it's easy enough to lift them out from the eroding sand cliff with the entire root system intact. Sadly, there's a mature palm not far back from the edge (you can see its stem in the second photo) that is clearly doomed to being taken by the sea but is too big to save. What a shame!

Aaaaand it's gone 😞

[Jonathan]

Bummer.