Chamaedorea geoniformis vs. tenella

[PalmatierMeg]

These are lovely little understory palms that deserve wider renown. They are surprisingly cold hardy: down to 28F. Current thinking lumps what were two species, C. geoniformis and C. tenella into just C. geoniformis even though these palms are distinctly different to uneducated eyes, including mine. I have two C. geoniformis vs. seven C. tenella. The geoniformis are much larger all around. C. tenella is almost impossibly dainty, sporting 3-4" leaves atop tiny stems thinner than a pencil

I just finished fall maintence on these little guys then took the following photos. These palms are well worth growing

Chamaedorea geoniformis x2 and Chamaedorea tenella x7

Chamaedorea geoniformis (left) & Chamaedorea tenella (right)

Chamaedorea geoniformis x2

Chamaedorea tenella

 

[joe_OC]

Love both those palms!  I'm a sucker for bifid understory palms.

[Really full garden]

These are spectacular little gems. C.geoniformis is supposed to be native to Guatemala. I have never seen one in habitat or for sale.

[Stevetoad]

Those are great Meg!!!

[BPK Palm Addict]

Another well grown palm Meg.  Thanks for the pictures.

[colin Peters]

I have about 75 C. geo., many which are starting to seed heavily and only one C. tenella., the tenella has more of a rounded leaflet, just like yours. I will soon have hundreds of seed to sell if anyone out there

is interested. 

aloha

[PalmatierMeg]

6 hours ago, colin Peters said:

I have about 75 C. geo., many which are starting to seed heavily and only one C. tenella., the tenella has more of a rounded leaflet, just like yours. I will soon have hundreds of seed to sell if anyone out there

is interested. 

aloha

I'm interested. Does C. geoniformis/tenella require an insect pollinator to produce fertile seeds? My female tenellas have produced a few seeds each over the years but none have germinated for me.

[edbrown_III]

its like Rhapis humilus and Rhapis multifidia combined into one -------- Reproductive characteristics are the same but the lead differences are very differnent .   My C> geoformis look like yours but though my C. tenellas look like yours ----- their leaves have the same color as C. metallica