Livistona Identification Help

[Scott W]

Long story short, I've been growing these palms for well over a decade but they were stunted due to remaining in small nursery pots.  These were rescues from when my brother and I were growing numerous palms in west central Florida but an employer change on my part moved me away from there and he moved across the country (and back a few years later).

So here I have three palms, all which I believe are Livistona (I'll call them L1, L2 and L3).

L1 has been in the ground for about four years and is growing superbly.  It's in full sun for at least half the day (morning to late afternoon) and is on a slight incline towards an area of the yard that retains more moisture than the rest.  It has leaves that don't quite go all the way around the petiole, and each leaf splits in two about half way down the leaf.  The leaves also wilt giving it that ribbon look.  Petioles are armed but with rather smallish thorns.

L2 has been in the ground for about two years and it two is growing superbly.  It's planted similarly location wise to L1, however, it gets morning then late afternoon sun.  The leaves of this one wrap completely around the petiole, and splits in two about half way down the leaf.  Leaves are starting to wilt as well, giving it a ribbon look.  Petioles are armed and while this tree is smaller than L1, the thorns are larger.

L3 has been in the ground for about a year.  This one is planted about 10 feet from L2 so it receives the same sunlight.  Leaves of this one only wrap half way around the petiole and have a complete different look than L1 and L2.

Overall L1 and L2 look very similar, however, subtle characteristics make me believe they are different palms.  L3 is definitely a different palm in my mind.  It's possible I need to see them grow out more to get better identification.

Pictures in individual posts below...

[Scott W]

Livistona L1

[Scott W]

Livistona L2

[Scott W]

Livistona L3

[Reyes Vargas]

Livistona 1 and 2 look like decora Livistona 3 is chinensis.

7 minutes ago, Scott W said:

Livistona L3

 

[Scott W]

6 minutes ago, Reyes Vargas said:

Livistona 1 and 2 look like decora Livistona 3 is chinensis.

 

I was thinking that for L3 as well, was leaning towards Decora (Decipiens) as well for L1 but not sure on L2

[Jubaea_James760]

I agree with @Reyes Vargas, those we're my first choices as well.

L2 does look a little different than L1, I'm not familiar with Livistona Drudei but it kinda resembles the Northern weeping palm as well.

[Reyes Vargas]

As I look a little closer on L2 it does look different.  Decora (Decipiens) spines are very dark almost black and L2 has lighter colored spines.

[Reyes Vargas]

Here are the spines on my Livistona decora/Decipiens.  This is one of my favorite features of these palms.

[Scott W]

6 hours ago, Reyes Vargas said:

Here are the spines on my Livistona decora/Decipiens.  This is one of my favorite features of these palms.

 

Yeah, my L1 looks exactly like that while L2s coloring is much lighter, almost a reddish color.  Guess time will tell...

L1 spines

 

L2 spines

[Reyes Vargas]

9 minutes ago, Scott W said:

Yeah, my L1 looks exactly like that while L2s coloring is much lighter, almost a reddish color.  Guess time will tell...

L1 spines

 

L2 spines

The Livistona genus is very hard to tell apart.

[Scott W]

3 minutes ago, Reyes Vargas said:

The Livistona genus is very hard to tell apart.

Except possibly Saribus! 

[Reyes Vargas]

10 minutes ago, Scott W said:

Except possibly Saribus! 

And livistona chinensis.