| These are solitary trunked, monoecious, pinnate-leaved palms from the moist forests
of eastern Australia. Archontophoenix are noted for their exceptionally beautiful, straight, ringed and medium to tall
trunks, their prominent crownshafts and their large and graceful leaves. Difficult to transplant successfully, therefore best
bought in containers. |
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1. A. alexandrae (Alexandra Palm)
Height: up to 80 feet
Size of crown: 15-20 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Alexandra Palms need a
well-amended soil with plenty of moisture. In Kona it is important, especially at lower elevations, that the palm have all the
minor elements included in its fertilizing schedule. To identify juvenile plants, look at the underside of the leaves. There
should be many fine silver scales and no ramenta (or brown hairs). The appealing inflorescence is held like a skirt at the base
of the crownshaft and is creamy white. Fruit are small and red at maturity. This palm carries a high Weed Risk Assessment and is
considered invasive by many. Alexander Palms have naturalized extensively on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island. |
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2. A. cunninghamiana (Piccabeen Palm)
Height: 60 feet
Size of crown: 15-20 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Alexandra Palm with
these differences: the inflorescence as flowering begins is purple; the underside of the leaves have no scales but do have small
brown hairs (ramenta); the trunks are more robust and the leaves droop farther. |
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3. A. pupurea (Purple Crownshaft)
Height: 50-60 feet
Size of Crown: 15-20 feet wide |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Very similar in
appearance to the Piccabeen Palm with a robust trunk and graceful arching leaves. This palm, however, has a striking purple
crownshaft. The undersides of the leaves have both silver scales and ramenta. |
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4. A. tuckeri
Height: up to 70 feet in habitat, closer to 35-40 feet in cultivation
Size of Crown: 12 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Similar to the other
Archontophoenix palms, this species is most like the Alexander Palm with some notable exceptions that make it a better choice
for Hawaii. It is smaller, therefore not an unmanageable height, and it has large fruit and therefore will not be invasive. The
crownshaft is green, the new leaf can be bronze and the flowers are creamy white. |
