It’s That Time of Year Again

[realarch]

This time of year Kerriodoxa begins producing pistillate and staminate inflorescences which are quite a display. The staminate, (male), flowers are like giant powder puffs and easily release the pollen at the slightest touch. The female, or pistillte flowers, are tighter and closer to the stem. These palms are dioecious, which means it needs male and female plants to produce viable seed.

Since Kerriodoxa becomes fertile only once a year, I began wondering if other dioecious palms are on similar cycles or can produce inflorescences year around like monecious palms. Maybe someone knows that answer. 

Here are a few photos of the male and female plants which cover the current flowering and the seeds from past years.

Richard, (happypalms), has done a great job covering germination, so check out his posts for that process. 

Tim

First two photos are the staminate, (male), flowers.

[realarch]

Here is a shot of the pistillate, (female), flowers which can receive the pollen on their own, but I can’t help myself and assist with a quick dusting.

The seed is usually ripening in mid to late fall of the same year, say October. 

Tim

[realarch]

The seed turns a nice gold color at harvest time and thankfully, the seed is easy to clean. The photo shows both before and after being cleaned. 

Also a shot of the palms with the shovel for scale.

Tim