Is this really a Livistona nitida?

[LivistonaFan]

Hi, 

This palm was recently sold to me by a private seller stating that it was Livistona nitida. However, the seller admitted that he identified the palm simply by looking at pictures. Despite my user name, I am not actually qualified to say whether this is really L. nitida or perhaps, for example, L. australis.

Another piece of information:
The palm has mostly stayed indoors and that contributes to the overall appearance of this palm.

I would appreciate an identification to be able to better incorporate it into my garden planning.

[Neil C]

Almost certainly not nitida. Nitida to me looks quite similar to chinensis. Not sure what this one is though sorry.

[LivistonaFan]

1 hour ago, Neil C said:

Almost certainly not nitida. Nitida to me looks quite similar to chinensis. Not sure what this one is though sorry.

Thank you for your input. 

I had thought so too. Because of the deeply cut fronds, it will probably be either Livistona australis or Livistona decora. If I remember correctly, the seed was collected in the Mediterranean region. This makes Livistona decora a bit more likely. 

Here is my Livistona chinensis for comparison:
 

And now here is my little L. australis:

Since I already have 3 small true Livistona nitida in cultivation, L.decora would probably be fine for me.

 

Maybe other experts could also chime in? @kinzyjr@Xenon@Tyrone

[Fusca]

I'm no expert but I agree with Neil.  Insignificant petiole thorns and hastula don't say nitida to me.  Here are a few photos of mine.  Last photo is my local nitida in full sun from last year.  It's doubled in size since - my fastest growing palm.

[kinzyjr]

@LivistonaFan

That's a tough one there.  Plus it could be a hybrid if more than one species is in the area.

[Xenon]

Thanks for the tag! going to throw Livistona rigida out there due to reddish hue and upright shape despite indoor growth

[LivistonaFan]

I appreciate all your comments. Hopefully, this plant is sufficiently hardy in zone 9a. I will plant it out in late summer and maybe in a few years it can be reliably determined.

[Phoenikakias]

On 7/31/2023 at 11:52 PM, Fusca said:

I'm no expert but I agree with Neil.  Insignificant petiole thorns and hastula don't say nitida to me.  Here are a few photos of mine.  Last photo is my local nitida in full sun from last year.  It's doubled in size since - my fastest growing palm.

Def it does not look like chinensis!

[Phoenikakias]

On 8/1/2023 at 9:30 AM, LivistonaFan said:

I appreciate all your comments. Hopefully, this plant is sufficiently hardy in zone 9a. I will plant it out in late summer and maybe in a few years it can be reliably determined.

I would also throw on the table the wild guess of Livistona drudei.