Dypsis Species, Areca Palm, Butterfly Palm, Golden Cane Palm, Madagascar Palm (Dypsis lutescens)

by Monocromatico Oct 15, 2003 7:52 AM

Areca Palms & patio entrance arch

This palm obviously grows more than 10' in height. Here in a tropical climate, 30' is not unusual. In California, 25' is about it's maximum height.

Here is a planting in a botanical garden showing how they can be used as a tree for shade

Here is a bizzare cultivar of this palm grown in Thailand

Here is another cultivar of this palm, showing less yellow, but droopy leaflets

THis is a very yellow form of this palm, though the shape is very typical

A group of Arecas near home. Sometimes I stop there and eat the orange fruits - everyone looks at me in strange ways when I do that, I bet they don�t know the fruits are edible. Rio de Janeiro

An uncommon ramified Areca. There are 3 or 4 individuals in the same yard like this. I know another one in the Botanical Garden. I wonder why this happens. Rio de Janeiro

A shot of the inflorescence. Rio de Janeiro, early spring.

Close up of some tiny flowers. Rio de Janeiro, early spring.

Another shot of a tiny flower. These flowers could�ve very well never been noticed even by the most experienced gardeners. Rio de Janeiro, early spring.

My little one

My big one

I've only had this for about 3 weeks, and it is already putting out a ton of brand new shoots. Baby tears at the base will eventually fill in, and keep the soil from drying out too quickly. I hope to transplant it outside when it gets bigger.

nice small plant near river Kwai in Thailand, showing flowers

often how sold in Southern California- just crammed into pot ready to burst (actually mult palms)

Nice clump in Orange county, California- about 20 years old

southern California palm showing suckering base

Miami palm showing branching behavior

solitary form of 'shuttlecock' variety, with more 'normal' suckering variety in back (Thailand)

typical street planting in Hawaii

Areca palm fruit.

Areca Palm fruit next to a fence on side of house, southeast Florida.

Several Dypsis Lutescens clumps in a park garden in the outskirts of Puerta Vallarta. It gets very hot here and these clumps are exposed to full sun. They love the humidity too.