| This is a large genus of about 100 palms ranging from small to medium sizes,
solitary-trunked or clustering, and all have diversely shaped pinnate leaves. Many of these palms come from Central American
rainforests. Most of these palms prefer to grow in moist, heavily canopied areas and are used extensively as interior plants. |
|
1.ernesti-augusti
Height: 5-10 feet
Size of Crown: 1-3 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This small solitary
palm can be seen growing in the humid forests of Belize or Guatamala. The leaves are undivided and the skinny trunk is usually
curving with adventitious root growth. This palm makes a nice accent palm placed amid other palms or shade-loving plants. It
grows best with filtered light and high humidity. |
|
2. C. cataractarum (Cat Palm)
Height: 6 feet
Size of crown: 6-10 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This palm’s clustering
trunks are prostrate and therefore not visible but forked near their bases and thereby forming attractive clusters. This palm is
very shade tolerant and always shows dark green leaves. Ideal for ‘shower gardens’ and other protected areas of the landscape
with low light. |
|
3. glaucifolia
Height: 12-15 feet
Size of Crown: 4-6 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This is a slender
solitary-trunked palm from Mexico with feathery pinnate leaves. This palm is best grown in a semi-shady area with adequate
water, but can tolerate more sun if conditions are favorable. This palm has an almost lacy appearance in the landscape. |
| |
4. C. metallica (Metallic Palm)
Height: 13-4 feet
Size of Crown: 2 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: Endemic to the rain
forests of southern Mexico, this small solitary palm has white-green undivided pinnate leaves. Because the palm is dioecious its
interesting male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. C. metallic, with its shimmering silvery leaves,
makes a wonderful landscape palm, especially planted in groups of differing heights, or in a mass planting as a |
| |
5.microspadix
Height: 10-15 feet
Size of Crown: 5-8 feet wide clumps |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This clumping palm
from the rainforests of Mexico is commonly used as an interior plant. It thrives in moist, shady conditions. It is also called
bamboo palm due to rings on the individual trunks. Due to the denseness of this clumping palm, it makes a good screen in shady
areas of the landscape. |
| |
6.C. pinnatifrons
Height: up to 10 feet
Size of Crown: 4-6 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: A widespread palm in
the rainforests of Central and South America, this diminutive palm features interesting leaves with 8 pairs of wide crinkly
bright green leaves. They could be used to form a charming miniature canopyscape. Requires a shady planting location, rich soil
and moisture. |
| |
7.C. seifrizii (Bamboo Palm)
Height: 10-123 feet
Size of Crown:4-5 feet wide clumps |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This clumping palm
from places like the Yucatan, Mexico, and Belize is most commonly called the Bamboo Palm. It is another great indoor palm. The
pinnate leaves of these palms can differ in shape or size, but the leaflets are usually slender. This is another densely
clumping palm that can make a nice natural screen in shadier areas of a landscape. |
