Botanical Name: Phoenix Roebelenii
Phoenix Roebelenii is a species of date palm native to southeastern Asia, from southwestern China, northern Laos and northern Vietnam. Each frond is 18-24 inches long and leaflet are 15–25 cm (6–10 in)long and 1 cm broad, slightly drooping, and grey-green in color with scurfy pubescence below.
- Member of the Arecaceae or Palmae (palm family).
- It is native to southeastern Asia, from southwestern China, northern Laos and northern Vietnam.
- Date, coconut and Washington palms are common relatives.
- Leaves are 14" - 20" inches long with fronds 1 cm wide and 6-10 inches long in a pinnate arrangement.
- Classed as a monocotyledon, leaves mostly parallel veined.
Storage:
55-60 F.
Common Uses:
- Commonly used as an indoor plant. From the Greek “chamai” (on the ground) and “dorea” (a gift) meaning that the fruit hang low to the ground and are therefore easy to get.
- Members of this family provide the world with many products including food (coconut and oil), ornamental, wax, fibers and beverages.
- While it can be grown in southern Florida, most of this crop is grown in Mexico and Guatemala for both economic and cultural reasons. Namely, even in southern Florida it can get too cold for this species.
- In 1981 showed that vase-life was increased from about 7 to 28 days in water simply by re-cutting the stems.