Christmas Palm
is medium size palm that is a long-time favorite in
South Florida yards. One of its common names is
Dwarf Royal Palm
because it resembles a "Mini-me" version of the
Royal
Palm (Roystonea regia).
Christmas Palm has a smooth slender grayish stem
ringed by semi-circular frond scars. A 2-3' green crown
shaft supports a crown of almost a dozen pinnate fronds.
The fronds are arched to about 5' long with leaflets
that are about 2' long and 2' wide. Where the crown
shaft attaches to the trunk 2' long inflorescences
sprout. Small butter-cream colored flowers form
light green 1" long ovoid fruit. By December, most
years, the fruit ripens and turns a crimson color.
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Christmas Palm
are often grown in doubles
or triples. Click image to
enlarge. |
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Christmas Palm
inflorescence sprouting.
Click image to enlarge. |
Christmas Palm
flower close-up.
Click image to enlarge. |
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Christmas red Christmas Palm
fruit. Notice scars from
spent fronds on trunk.
Click image to enlarge. |
Plant
Facts:
Common
Name: Christmas
Palm, Manila Palm, Adonidia, Dwarf Royal Palm
Botanical
Name: Veitchia
merrillii syn. Adonidia merrillii
Subfamily:
Arecaceae
Plant Type:
Solitary medium
size palm tree often grown in doubles or triples
Origin:
Philippines and
surrounding area
Zones:
10 - 12, does poorly in prolonged cold weather
below mid-30's(F)
Height:
15-20', 6-11' frond spread
Rate of
Growth: Moderately fast
Salt
Tolerance: Moderate
Soil
Requirements: Well drained, sandy,
fertile
Water
Requirements: Moderate, water sparingly in
winter
Nutritional
Requirements: Feed regularly with palm
fertilizer
Light
Requirements: Full sun, tolerates some shade
Form:
Gracefully arched
Leaves:
Arching fronds to about
5' long with 40-60 strap-shaped leaflets that are about
2' long and 2' wide, scaly
underneath.
Inflorescence: Short, born
where crown shaft attaches to trunk, small
butter-cream colored flowers. Attractive to bees.
Fruits:
Pale green, turning Crimson Red
Pests or
diseases:
Plant hopper
(Myndus
crudus)
infects with lethal yellowing
Uses:
Specimen tree, Hurricane resistant, great for
containers
Bad Habits:
Cost:
$$ - $$$ -- reasonable to expensive
Propagation:
Seed, germinates in 2-3 months
Source:
Betrocks
Guide to Landscape Palms; 
AMERICAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY A-Z ENCYCLOPEDIA OF GARDEN PLANTS
