Adonidia merrillii, Veitchia merrilli

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Adonidia comes from Adonis, the handsome sun god of the ancient Greeks. This is neat looking, compact palm that resembles a dwarf version of the royal palm (Roystonea regia) which it matches in beauty. Christmas palm grows to an overall height of only about 16 ft. By late fall fruit are beginning to ripen and by late December are bright and brilliant red - like ornaments on a Christmas palm! It is a popular landscaping item in the capital of Philippines, which inspires another popular name, the Manila palm.

Christmas palm is moderately salt tolerant. Prefers full sun but will take some shade.

Small stature makes it perfect for use in small scale plantings. It is sometimes closely planted in groups of two or three.

Good specimen container plant. The formal symmetry of Christmas palm is nicely showcased when it is grown in a container. Indoors or out this is a glamourous container plant that can maintain its looks despite hardship and neglect.

Similar plants:

• Goeppertia veitchiana, Calathea veitchiana (Prayer Plant)
• Veitchia macdanielsii, Veitchia spiralis (Sunshine Palm)
• Veitchia montgomeryana (Montgomery Palm)