Tall Archontophoenix alexandrae next to two tall Thrinax radiata

[bubba]

Please post if you have any of these specimens. This happens to be a very tall and old King Palm for our area. The two (2) Thrinax radiata may not be the tallest around here but they are indigenous. Would love to see pictures of these palms from all areas around the world.

[kinzyjr]

A few of the areas where they are used here below.  These will be just some of the stars of the Summer 2024 CFPACS Meeting here in town.

Barnett Park:

Hollis Gardens: https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/topic/18482-hollis-gardens-in-lakeland-florida/

City Hall - South Entrance: First shown on the Remarkable Palms of Tampa Bay thread.

[James B]

Bubba are we sure that’s an Archontophoenix? Doesn’t appear to have a true crown shaft. Almost looks like Ravenea.

[bubba]

James,

You are correct that this palm does not have a crownshaft and therefore is not an Archonotphoenix alexandrae. Good catch. The other two (2) palms are definitely Thrinax radiata. 
 

Both King and Tr are not the most cold sensitive palms that can be grown in many regions (including Mediterranean climates). Tr is a Carribean palm that has proven to be far less cold sensitive than expected for many years (see AZ and his large collection in Arizona).

My intention was to get as many folks as possible to post pictures of their specimens or specimens in their area of these relatively non- cold sensitive palms to share on the Board for us to observe. 

The tall palm that I have misidentified as King is likely a Ravena as you have suggested. Ravena’s for our area, while relatively non-cold sensitive, do not grow outstandingly in our area. They seem to be having a resurgence and are doing better but tend to be huskier than the palm pictured. However, I believe this is a very old pre-resurgence Ravena, which has lost the husky quality as many palms do as they age ( see Bottles that Seuss). 

I will post another group of tall King’s in our area. I now would like to include Ravena’s as a third palm to include with hopes that Palmtalkers world-wide would post pictures of all three of these specimens (King,Tr and Ravena) in their area. I believe this would be a highly interesting exercise that would provoke many great discussions between Palmtalker’s world wide! Thank you for your correction!
 

 

 

 

[bubba]

Found a group of sensational Thrinax radiata in our area that I have previously posted but is still amazing:

[SeanK]

57 minutes ago, bubba said:

James,

You are correct that this palm does not have a crownshaft and therefore is not an Archonotphoenix alexandrae. Good catch. The other two (2) palms are definitely Thrinax radiata. 
 

Both King and Tr are not the most cold sensitive palms that can be grown in many regions (including Mediterranean climates). Tr is a Carribean palm that has proven to be far less cold sensitive than expected for many years (see AZ and his large collection in Arizona).

My intention was to get as many folks as possible to post pictures of their specimens or specimens in their area of these relatively non- cold sensitive palms to share on the Board for us to observe. 

The tall palm that I have misidentified as King is likely a Ravena as you have suggested. Ravena’s for our area, while relatively non-cold sensitive, do not grow outstandingly in our area. They seem to be having a resurgence and are doing better but tend to be huskier than the palm pictured. However, I believe this is a very old pre-resurgence Ravena, which has lost the husky quality as many palms do as they age ( see Bottles that Seuss). 

I will post another group of tall King’s in our area. I now would like to include Ravena’s as a third palm to include with hopes that Palmtalkers world-wide would post pictures of all three of these specimens (King,Tr and Ravena) in their area. I believe this would be a highly interesting exercise that would provoke many great discussions between Palmtalker’s world wide! Thank you for your correction!
 

 

 

 

I wouldn't throw any of these out with the bathwater. Very nice for Lakeland.

[Xenon]

Doesn't look like Ravenea either imo. Maybe Heterospathe? 

[hbernstein]

3 minutes ago, Xenon said:

Doesn't look like Ravenea either imo. Maybe Heterospathe? 

absolutely Heterospathe elata. You beat me to it!

[bubba]

You folks are very good! Heterospathe elata was not on my radar! Listened to Christian Faulkner (The Palmfather) give a great overview of this palm from the Fiji Island area. He indicated that it was a Zone 10 but he also opined that this would not be a successful Palm for the Mediterranean climate ( once again the USDA zone system is called into question).

I went back today and took more in depth pictures of the palm, which I will post. Also did a drive-by on the strangely tall Thrinax radiata at the local house in PB and will post pictures. My intention is to get as many Palmtalkers to post pictures of their Kings,  Thrinax radiatae and Heterospathe elatae. Pictures are worth a thousand words.

 

[bubba]

[bubba]

[bubba]

[RiverCityRichard]

My central Florida king. Has been through 2 hurricanes, multiple freezes down to 27, sunburn, and frost burn. Have 3x 2gph drip emitters running for 45 minutes every other day, + regular feeds of palm gain. Tree has doubled in height in 2.5 years, and has 6”-8” spacing between trunk rings.

People always say Archontophoenix Cunninghamiana hate Florida (especially in full sun) but with adequate water and amending the soil, this has been my easiest and fastest growing palm.

[bubba]

Richard where are you located in Volusia county? That is a beautiful King!

[RiverCityRichard]

37 minutes ago, bubba said:

Richard where are you located in Volusia county? That is a beautiful King!

Thanks man! I’m in west DeBary. Tend to stay a tad warmer than the rest of West Volusia. Went in the ground as a 15g with two rings of trunk back in December 2021

[bubba]

Richard,

Sounds to me you may be near to the place where William Bartram stated:

”The palm trees here seem to be of a different species from the Cabbage tree; their strait trunks are sixty, eighty or ninety feet high, with a beautiful taper of a bright ash colour, until within six or seven feet of the top, where it is a fine green colour, crowned with an orb of rich green plumed leaves: I have measured the stem of these plumes fifteen feet in length, besides the plume, which is nearly of the same length.”

[RiverCityRichard]

16 hours ago, bubba said:

Richard,

Sounds to me you may be near to the place where William Bartram stated:

”The palm trees here seem to be of a different species from the Cabbage tree; their strait trunks are sixty, eighty or ninety feet high, with a beautiful taper of a bright ash colour, until within six or seven feet of the top, where it is a fine green colour, crowned with an orb of rich green plumed leaves: I have measured the stem of these plumes fifteen feet in length, besides the plume, which is nearly of the same length.”

Maybe so. In my opinion the St Johns River is the most beautiful natural area in the state. The 100+ year old sabals and enormous cypress trees.

[kinzyjr]

4 hours ago, RiverCityRichard said:

Maybe so. In my opinion the St Johns River is the most beautiful natural area in the state. The 100+ year old sabals and enormous cypress trees.

As far as alternate places to live, near the shore of Lake Monroe in Sanford always appealed to me.

[RiverCityRichard]

4 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

As far as alternate places to live, near the shore of Lake Monroe in Sanford always appealed to me.

That’s five minutes down the street. Grew up fishing and hunting the woods on the east side of Monroe. Palm wise it’s really standing out too. The microclimate has led to fruiting adonidia, wodyetia, archontophoenix and even some maturing cocos around the downtown area.

[peachy]

On 5/23/2024 at 12:29 PM, James B said:

Bubba are we sure that’s an Archontophoenix? Doesn’t appear to have a true crown shaft. Almost looks like Ravenea.

I know Bubba has more palm knowledge than I will ever have but I also spotted the missing crownshaft.  I planted a T radiata about 18 months ago believing that they never get more than 3 or 4 metres tall. Obviously I got that wrong !!

Peachy

[bubba]

Peachy,

I take pictures on my phone and when I post the pictures are so small that I have trouble seeing the full palm and I forget what it was when I am attempting my post! Simply stated, I make mistakes!

I do not have deep knowledge of palms at the level of the many expert PalmTalkers on this Board and highly respect and appreciate their corrections. You are very knowledgeable and always have good material. I am attempting to get as many Palm Talkers worldwide to post pictures of their palms or palms in their area.

You are the perfect person that I am attempting to engage! You are in magnificent Queensland and I am in Florida. I would love to see you post your Thrinax radiata or whatever magnificent palm you have. Would enjoy seeing other specimens worldwide! It would be fun to discuss!