Licuala sp.

The large genus Licuala includes a great diversity of tropical palms from a wide range of habitats. It is found from southern Asia to the southwest Pacific. Most Licuala species are found in shady lowland rainforests, but light and temperature requirements vary. The genus is known for its fan-shaped leaves that often have attractive splitting patterns. The leaves of many species are shaped like pinwheels, but some have undivided leaves that are round or diamond-shaped. The flowers and fruits are also attractive.

Species:

Licuala elegans

Licuala grandis

Licuala mattanensis

Licuala peltata

Licuala spinosa

Livistona benthamii, Livistona australis

In colder regions, Livistona benthamii (Bentham's Fountain Palm) can be grown in pots. The palm has small semi-shade leaves and grows from 10-20 feet tall. This plant is native to the Northern Territories of Australia and does best in USDA Zones 9-11. It is easily grown from small round black seeds and it loves regular water.

Caring for the Livistona benthamii in a pot in cold regions requires plenty of water and fertilizer. Care must also be taken to keep circulating air in the growing area to prevent fungus attack. The pot should be in a semi-shady spot.

Livistona chinensis

A popular container palm which can also be used as an attractive landscape tree. Younger plants require partial shading.

The large bright green fan-shaped leaves are deeply divided into about 75 segments that droop downward to give a gracefully fountain-like aspect inspiring its common name Chinese fountain palm. These leaves may grow up to 5 ft in diameter and form a dense canopy on a solitary brown trunk that bleaches to gray on older specimens. Trunks grow to about 18" in diameter and are wider at the base. This palm is occasionally seen in Florida, slowly growing to a height of 30 ft. Flowers are borne on 6 ft inflorescences hidden within the crown and are followed by oval or round seeds that turn dark blue to blue-gray when ripe.

This palm is increasingly popular for use in landscapes in Florida, California and other warm temperate climates.

Chinese fan palm is not particular about soil. Fertilize twice a year in spring and summer with a good quality slow release fertilizer that contains micro-nutrients.

Likes direct sun and bright situations. Young plants look better when grown in part shade.

This palm forms a long tap root and can survive extended periods of drought. Provide adequate moisture for more rapid growth.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8 - 11. Sheltered under live oak trees, these specimens routinely survive temperatures in the mid twenties with no ill effect. They have survived temperatures as low as 15 degrees which burnt the leaves but they recovered. They also seem resistant to the fungus diseases that attacked other "semi-hardy" palms after sustaining cold damage.

Livistona decipiens

Also known as Weeping Cabbage Palm. It is distinctive because of its large crown of yellowish green, finely divided fronds that have strongly weeping tips. It should suit mostwell drained soils in the subtropical and tropical climates. Used as a potted plant, it has great potential and is extremely handsome at the juvenile stage.

Livistona humilis

Livistona saribus, Livistona cochinchinensis

This is a solitary palm with a robust gray trunk. It has a deep green foliage with costpalmate leaves. This palm has a moderate tolerance for salt in soils.(From other sources of the information: Intolerant).It has a high drought tolerance. Its soil requirements are low and it is very adaptable. Min. Temperature: 24F (-4C)

Livistona sp.

Lodoicea maldivica

A very large, unarmed, fan palm to about 25m tall. It is famed for its enormous seeds, which weigh about 20kg, and are the largest seeds of any plant. The plant is dioecious, which means it has male and female plants, and the seeds take up to seven years to mature on the plant. Plants of these nuts are tender and very slow-growing, the nut takes a year to germinate and another year to form its first leaf.

Lytocaryum weddellianum, Cocos weddelliana, Syagrus weddelliana

Unaccountably rare, most beautiful of all small palms, Lytocaryum weddellianum, is also called the "miniature coconut".

It is closely related to the coconut palm, but is much smaller and more cold tolerant, taking down to about 25 F.

The palm has a small stature, only growing to a height of 6 feet. In rare cases, it can grow to 10 feet, with a trunk diameter of about 2". After flowering, it produces small edible fruits that resemble and taste like coconuts. It has been reported that oil extracted from the nuts has been important commercially.

This palm should be grown in well draining soil that is constantly moist, but not soggy.

Miniature Coconut Palm is native to the State of Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil. It grows naturally in the rainforests of the region. It thrives in the humid shade of the Brazilian rainforests. Originally, the palm was placed in the same species as the coconut palm, under the name Cocos weddelliana, before moving to the queen palm genus, Syagrus, and finally moving to its own genus, Lytocaryum.

It is a great container specimen growing 6 feet tall and fruiting in only a 7 gallon pot - perfect for folks with limited space!

Mauritia flexuosa

Moriche palm fruit is edible, has a high vitamin C content, and used to make juice, jam, ice cream, and a fermented "wine".

This dioecious species grows slowly, and can be mixed with many other tree and crop species as long as it is not under shade. It tolerates some flooding, and will mature in about ten to fifteen years. Several mature male palms should be kept in the field to help maintain good fruit production from the females.