PlantFiles: Lord Bentinck's Palm
Bentinckia condapanna

Much more colorful than nicobara and more exclusive, condapanna is fast and sun tolerant from a small size. It has little soil issues and is quickly becoming one of those designer palms for the contemporary palm collector. This palm is actually highly endangered due to Indian elephants eating it for the tasty heart.

I haven't seen any bigger grown Lord Bentinck palms in Southern California but this palm appears to do well. Mostly available in a 1ga and takes a bit of time to acclimate in sun or it will burn. It loves good drainage and sun to make it grow steady. I bought three 1ga and so far one died from too much watering and the other two are slow steady growing. My friend bought one at the same time and immediately planted into the grown and it appears its starting to have the trunk get fat and take on faster growth.

This rare and endangered palm is native to Southern India. It is a solitary, pinnate palm that likes both heat and moisture. It's reported to be a very fast-growing palm in the right climate.

"A single-stemmed palm tree, confined to the southern Western Ghats. It occurs on slopes in moist evergreen hill forest. It is also present in protected areas and planted in several botanic gardens." Johnson, D., International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.