PalmArbor 2015

PalmArbor, an electronic journal published periodically, includes articles on the identification, taxonomy, nomenclature, selection, propagation, and landscape management of palms, trees, and other woody plants. Content will be of interest to botanists, horticulturists, arborists, nurserymen, and landscape managers, designers, and architects. Articles are popular and/or technical in nature; a peer-review track is available. Contact the Editor-in-Chief to submit articles or for other information.

Alectryon excelsus

This New Zealand native, a long-lived, moderately growing, small to medium, evergreen tree typically of good structure with handsome, glossy, dark green pinnate leaves and amazing if not spectacular seeds, makes a fine shade, specimen, park, residential, and even street tree. The seeds are indeed remarkable: imagine a black licorice gumdrop embedded in a ripe red raspberry and you have a fairly accurate picture of the curious and eye-catching seeds appearing nearly good enough to eat!), which are sure to draw attention in the garden or landscape (Fig. 1). It performs well in coastal plains and valleys from San Diego to San Francisco and is perhaps somewhat drought tolerant in central California but probably needs regular water in the southern part of the state to look its best. Learn more about Alectryon excelsus (PDF 6.4 MB)

Infructescence and Fruit Characteristics of Washingtonia

Washingtonia, named in honor of George Washington, first president of the United States, includes two species and one hybrid of desert fan palms from southern California, southwestern Arizona, and northwestern Mexico (Bailey 1936, Hodel 2014). Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm) occurs in the Colorado Desert of southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, and northern Baja California, Mexico while W. robusta (Mexican fan palm) is found in southern Baja California and western Sonora, Mexico. They are among the most commonly cultivated palms in the world and are especially prominent and conspicuous in southern California, where they are considered the iconic trees of the region’s landscapes. In the Coachella Valley and other desert regions the large, imposing W. filifera, is the more common species in the landscape but in more humid and cooler coastal areas the tall, slender “sky duster” W. robusta predominates. In the past 30 years or so a hybrid of the two, W. × filibusta, has inadvertently become a common landscape subject and has added to the mix. Learn more about Infructescence and Fruit Characteristics of Washingtonia (PDF .7 MB)

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Handroanthus heptaphyllus

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9% Drought Landscape Water Use

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Cassia brewsteri Tree