Some unusual flowerings in Balboa Park

[Matt in SD]

I was in Balboa park today, unfortunately without my camera because it was raining.  I was happy to see that one of the large Bismarkias outside the botanical building has two large inflorescences with developing seed (maybe half of mature size at this point).  There are thousands of seed on there.  These are possibly the largest Bismarkias I've seen in SoCal...I'm sure someone has a photo to post.

I was more surprised, however that two majesty palms (Ravenea ribularis) about 100m from these Bismarkias had at leats 10 flower spikes emerging on each (they're across the street from the natural history museum).  These majesties have less than 6 feet of trunk, and I've always admired how healthy they look.  They are really beautiful trees, and not nearly as fat as many majesty palms I've seen.  So this flowering made me question whether they are actually Ravenea rivularis, or some other similar species.  

Does anyone know of any other Bismarkias or Majesty palms flowering in SoCal?  I've only seen one other flowering majesty palm, and it was a very tall, ugly specimen near palm canyon (also in Balboa Park).  Never seen another Bizzy flowering, let alone setting seed.

Matt

[JEFF from Trabuco Canyon CA]

Hey Matt, Are they bigger then this one in Irvine?  Also, are there male and female Bismarkia at Balboa park.

[fastfeat]

Hope they've got both male and female Bismarckia growing close together (and blooming at the same time). Otherwise, those seeds won't be much more than a big tease ...

[Matt in SD]

Jeff,

The smaller Bizzie in Balboa park I think is about the size of the one in your photo and the larger is, I think a bit bigger.  But overall they're close in size to that one.  Funny, I'd never realized that Bismarkias were dioecious (separate male and female plants).  But reading the description, it's pretty clear that the smaller one is a male, and the larger is female.  I'm pretty sure she's going to have good seed.  

As for the majesties...has anyone seen a majesty flowering at all in SoCal, let alone one with less than 6 feet of clear trunk throwing multiple inflorescences?  It seems very odd to me.

Matt

[iwan]

(Matt in SD @ Feb. 04 2008,22:29)

QUOTE

As for the majesties...has anyone seen a majesty flowering at all in SoCal, let alone one with less than 6 feet of clear trunk throwing multiple inflorescences?  It seems very odd to me.

Matt

Matt,

If I IDed it properly, there was one dropping fruit last fall at the Catamaran (over by the Raphia).  It had maybe 8' of trunk (from memory, no picture).  I didn't notice any inflorescences or infructescences on the other (much larger) trees at the hotel.

[iwan]

Here are the Balboa Park Bismarkias last September.

[Matt in SD]

Thanks Robert,

I knew someone would come through with a recent photo of those Bizzies.  I wish I had more space...they really are best when they're out in the open like that.

That does look like a majesty with seed in your photos.  Interesting that it was also on the short side.   I wonder if there are some different varieties of these from different places that have different flowering habits.  Do you have a photo of the whole palm?  The ones in Balboa park are really perfect looking palms, much nicer than 99% of the majesties you see around, but they are also on the skinny side.

matt

[Urban Rainforest]

(Matt in SD @ Feb. 04 2008,01:23)

QUOTE

I was in Balboa park today, unfortunately without my camera because it was raining.  I was happy to see that one of the large Bismarkias outside the botanical building has two large inflorescences with developing seed (maybe half of mature size at this point).  There are thousands of seed on there.  These are possibly the largest Bismarkias I've seen in SoCal...I'm sure someone has a photo to post.

I was more surprised, however that two majesty palms (Ravenea ribularis) about 100m from these Bismarkias had at leats 10 flower spikes emerging on each (they're across the street from the natural history museum).  These majesties have less than 6 feet of trunk, and I've always admired how healthy they look.  They are really beautiful trees, and not nearly as fat as many majesty palms I've seen.  So this flowering made me question whether they are actually Ravenea rivularis, or some other similar species.  

Does anyone know of any other Bismarkias or Majesty palms flowering in SoCal?  I've only seen one other flowering majesty palm, and it was a very tall, ugly specimen near palm canyon (also in Balboa Park).  Never seen another Bizzy flowering, let alone setting seed.

Matt

Hey Matt. I've always admired those Bizzies as well and that whole botanical house behind them has some cool plants too. As far as Bizzies blooming mine flowered last year and I believe Gary's bloomed as well. Here are a couple pics of mine.

[Urban Rainforest]

And here is a pic of the palm.

[Urban Rainforest]

And here is one I have growing at work that is starting to blow up!

[iwan]

I went through the unpublished pictures from the trip and it appears I do have a more full view.  Taller than I remember (maybe 15' CT) and it looks way better than all the other R. rivularis at the Catamaran.  Matty said they were underwatered, so maybe this one has a good source of water.

Where are the ones at Balboa Park?  I have never noticed them, but if they are skinny I may have thought them to be something else.

[PalmGuyWC]

Don't be fooled by the Bismarkias as they often form dummy seeds. It usually takes several of both sexes growing in close proximity for them to set seeds. Has anyone actually set viable seeds in S. Calif?

Robert, great shots of the Majasties in fruit. I didn't realize the fruit was so pretty. Robert, get in touch, long time no see.

Dick

[paulgila]

matt there are a few very TALL ravenea in my neighborhood (i would say about 20' of trunk)& they have been fruiting since i've noticed them.i've been wanting to get some pix...