Pronunciation: ken-tee-OP-siss aw-liv-ih-FORM-iss
Common Name: Canala Palm
Kentiopsis oliviformis is a tall New Caledonian pinnate palm with a uniquely colored crownshaft and very upright leaves. This is the tallest and one of the fastest growing of the New Caledonian palms, as well as one of the best and easiest landscape specimens from this southern island. Not terribly unique as a juvenile, but magnificent once a trunk has developed. Poor choice for deserts or windy locations. Fairly commonly available from palm specialty nurseries, but large specimens rare and very pricey.
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Appearance and Biology
- Habit: solitary
- Height: 40 feet (over 90 feet in the tropics)
- Trunk: prominently ringed and green; 10" thick
- Crownshaft: long, slate grey, dark grey, brownish-green or sea-green; nearly same diameter as stem
- Spread: 8'-10'
- Leaf Shape: pinnate, mostly vertically oriented, long, evenly and closely spaced leaflets in single plane
- Petiole: short and unarmed, covered with a patchy scurf, deeply channeled
- Foliage: deep, bright green
- Reproduction: monoecious
- Inflorescence:
- Fruit:
- Seed:
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Horticultural Characteristics
- Minimum Temp: 27F
- Drought Tolerance: poor
- Dry Heat Tolerance: poor
- Wind Tolerance: poor
- Salt Tolerance: poor
- Growth Rate: slow
- Soil Preference: rich, acidic and well draining but tolerant of clays, sand and alkaline soils as well
- Light Requirement: partial to full coastal sun
- Human Hazards: none
- Disease or Horticultural Problems:
- Indoor?: poor choice
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