Is this a Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae?

[PalmKeeper]

I recently received this palm from a forum member (thank you!) as a Dypsis baronii, but after comparing with a couple other baronii’s I think it’s something else. It has a heel, and the coloration on the petiole and crown shaft is different. Could this be a chrysalidocarpus ambositrae?
 

[Tyrone]

I think it is C ambositrae. In good condition too.

[Tracy]

10 hours ago, PalmKeeper said:

I recently received this palm from a forum member (thank you!) as a Dypsis baronii, but after comparing with a couple other baronii’s I think it’s something else. It has a heel, and the coloration on the petiole and crown shaft is different. Could this be a chrysalidocarpus ambositrae?
 

My first thought was that the leaflets look a little too relaxed for Chyrsalidocarpus ambositrae, but that could be an age thing.  I pulled up older photos of mine from when I planted and unfortunately they were older than your plant.  The thing that matches is that red new emerging spear.  I hope you are right as this is a fast growing and attractive mid-size palm.  You can see what one of the one in my front has developed into over a 6 year period in the last photo below.

[PalmKeeper]

Thanks for sharing the photos! I’ve been babying it in front of a west facing windows. Recently potted up and started pushing out the new spear. I assume it will grow slower outdoors in SF, so I plan to keep it in my indoor “greenhouse” for now - aka our pot collection by the window. 

Edited October 22, 2022 by PalmKeeper

[Tracy]

2 hours ago, PalmKeeper said:

I assume it will grow slower outdoors in SF, so I plan to keep it in my indoor “greenhouse” for now - aka our pot collection by the window. 

I think my friend  Darold Petty who lives in San Francisco has planted this species in his garden.  He might be able to share his growing experience with Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae, particularly growth rate information.  I live in a marine influenced zone here with lots of days with a dense marine layer at least for a portion of the day; not as heavy as most area's in San Francisco but definitely a cooler climate than most in Southern California.  Hope that provides a little insight for you on what you might expect. 

[Darold Petty]

Super busy today, comments and images tomorrow !  

[PalmKeeper]

Thanks Darold 😊

[Darold Petty]

I did grow both baronii and ambositrae, sourced from a Palmtalker in San Diego county.  It is possible that he co-mingled the seedlings that he sold me, and it is possible (but highly unlikely) thaI I co-mingled the plants while in my care.  I doubt this very much, since I am so compulsive about correct ID that I have discarded healthy palms when the ID was lost or challenged.

I have grown several lots of baronii from different sources and they all show reddish color as small plants, and then grow up to standard green.  I still have several more from the same lot as Palmkeeper's plant, they all look very similar.  I have two remaining plants of ambositrae, and quite frankly I can't distinguish them from baronii, but for the labels.  Both groups exhibit heels.

Baronii usually splits into 3-5 trunks, while ambositrae is single trunked so eventually this ID will be revealed.

Here is an ambositrae I planted in 2014 from a small start about 12 inches tall.   Note the heel just to the left of the secateur red handle. 

It has grown so well that I recently planted a second one adjacent to the first.

.  I have tried several other related Dypsis (Chrysalidocarpus) but so far only baronii, ambositrae, and onlilahensis are willing to grow in my cool, humid microclimate.   

[PalmKeeper]

Appreciate the info Darold! Time will tell what it is. On another note, the double trunked baronii I got from you is splitting - will be a triple soon 😊