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palm identitity required

18 years ago

We have two palms that we were given and still don't know which variety they are. Can anyone identify them? They are taller than a dwarf (pigmy) date palm but look similar. The trunks are 140mm in diameter and they have grown to about 4m tall. I don't know if they will get much taller. In the photo there is also a smaller one (which is dying, we think) but it is the two taller ones that we need identifying and they are two different varieties. They have been transplanted in the past 2 years so they are still recovering.
Thank you.

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Comments (8)

User
18 years ago
Hi Donna.... Your Palm could be one of the Phoenix ones, but which one Iam not sure..May be the Phoenix rupicola ( Cliff Date Palm ) have a look at the link below. .........Cheers...MM.

Here is a link that might be useful: Phoenix rupicola
Doona
Original Author
18 years ago
We thought the closer one was that too (a rupicola) but today I saw another picture of one and it was different so I am not so sure now. The other one (on the left) has a more of those knob/spike things on its trunk and they are pointier. Thanks for the link. If it is that I won't be disappointed, so long as it doesn't get too tall.
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gardenlen
18 years ago
g'day doona, looks like dwarf dates to me 'Phoenix roebilini'. len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page
User
18 years ago
Donna, here's another link for you to check out. You can click on the thumbnails for bigger pictures. Hope it's helpful....Cheers, Dee.

Here is a link that might be useful: Palm pictures
TonyfromOz
18 years ago
They are Phoenix without doubt, but which Phoenix? They seem to fall between P. roebelenii and P. rupicola, which makes me think of the possibility that they may be a hybrid between these species. Phoenixes have male and female flowers on different trees and so must be pollinated by another tree. They are known to hybridise quite frequently.
Doona
Original Author
18 years ago
I am starting to think you're right, Tony. I hadn't thought about a cross-breed variety before. I haven't been able to find anything like them, so that may be the answer, but thanks everyone for the ideas and links. If anyone knows where I can get hold of a mature palm similar to mine I would be very grateful as we need to replace the one that's dying. Donna.
richardqld
18 years ago
I reckon they are P. roebelenii .
gardenlen
18 years ago
g'day donna,

things don't stop growing at some predetermined height they may slow down dramatically, but while they are growing new fronds they are adding height. i have seen 'roebelenii's' around 6 meters tall they don't look very showy so generally they get cut down and new ones planted. maybe if you want to keep that section showy plant a couple new ones and do that as they grow in stages could look very interesting.

len

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