Darren This is Hyophorbe lagenicaulis . One member of a small genus of palms endemic to the Mascarene island. This particular one develops a very swollen trunk particularly when grown in a pot. another member is the "spindle" palm H. verschaffeltii.which is much more commonly seen. They are rated zone 10/11 but the one pictured has survived down to 28 but have alwys covered with frost cloth in temps below 35. and used christmas lights. Grown from seed in the mid eighties and are now developing the swollen trunk but I have no room!! They make fantastic potted plants but will require winter protection, not so bad when in a pot takes a long time for the swollen feature to develop though there are some species of palms that require 50 years to mature !! Palm enthusists are patient?? lol Don't confuse this with Beucarnea often called Bottle palm or pregnant onion not a palm at all!!! gary

Hi I think the slow growth is a terrific advantage .So many palms quickly outgrow the area . It is interesting to note the various ones in my neighbor hood particularly the development of the "bulb. Runaway best is one in a ceramic pot easily wider than tall and I know it's been there for at least 20 years MUCH more interesting than those in the ground and talk about easy care lol On a side note a Bismark palm planted in 1980 is seeding for the first time . Now that's slow?? lol gary

Hi IMHO they are best in a pot.lol They are slow growing ,tend to get wide rather than tall, easily wind damaged and are cold sensitive. Also think they hold onto the "bottle" longer though there is wide variation between plants on this feature from the start. This one was the best of the seedlings and i decided to keep it because a neighbor gave me the pot and did the work lol It is a bit over 30 years old and you still wouldn't be able to walk under it. if in the ground.. i have a very small lot and a hopeless" collector' so something had to go lol Certainly makes a striking pot plant?? good luck with yours!! gary

Hi Still have a couple that I grew from seed over 30 years ago. They have survived down to frost but suspect a hard freeze would do them in. Seem very hardy otherwise just incredibly slow . None of these have flowered after all this time !! gary