Apart from the leaf
Sabal palmetto leaf
anatomy, palms are
widely different in growth
habit as well. Some
species are suckering
(forming multiple stems)
like the European fan
palm, the lady palm
(Raphis excelsa) or
the dwarf sugar palm
(Arenga engleri) the
date palm (Phoenix
dactilifera) can do it at a young age before forming a trunk, but does not do that in all occasions.
Suckering date
palm
Arenga
engleri
Raphis excelsa
Other species grow solitary (with single trunk), like the Washingtonias, King palms
(Archontophoenix sp.) or the windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei).
Apart from suckering and
solitary palms, there are
also climbing palms, most
notably the rattans, which
form long slender shoots
that twist as lianas around
stems and branches of
other trees, most climber
palms are also suckering
and form new branches
from the ground.
Plectocomia
himalayana
(rattan palm)
Another unusual growth habit in palms, although
very rare, is branching. It occurs in only a handful of
species, some of which are the climbing rattans but
most notably the Doum palm (Hyphaene thebaica) from
Northeast Africa. All palm species mentioned in this
article (except the coconut palm) can be grown here at
the Costa Blanca! In the next article I will discuss some
more interesting aspects of palms and introduce some
more fascinating palm species suitable for the Costa
Blanca gardens.
Archontophoenix
Trachycarpus
Doum palm
(Hyphaene thebaica)
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