Christmas Palm, Adonidia Palm, Manila Palm

Adonidia merrillii Becc. in Philipp. Journ. Sci. 14: 329. 1919.

add-own-ID-ee-ah   merr-ILL-ee-eye

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: The genus is named for the god Adonis. Elmer D. Merrill (1876-1956) was Director of the New York Botanical Garden and a prominent Philippine botanist.

Synonym: Veitchia merrillii (Becc.) H. E. Moore, Gentes Herbarum, 8:  501. 1957. The Christmas Palm is probably most familiar under the name Veitchia merrillii. However, the assignment to Adonidia is in fact older, is the treatment adopted by Fairchild Tropical Garden (FAI), and is in use by the Plant Finder.

Natural range: Philippines

Natural habitat: Rainforest (PAL)

Recognition: A modest, formal, tidy, mid-sized, pinnate-leaved, single-trunked (but often planted in pairs or triplets) palm used abundantly in South Florida, recognized by its arching pinnate leaves where the leaflets are oriented upward, forming a V as seen from the end of the leaf. The scarlet fruits over an inch long are eye-catching in winter. Sometimes grown in containers and/or indoors.

Landscape uses: A specimen palm, with striking leaves and bright red fruits, heavily used in South Florida. Its size fits a residential scale, especially because the tree can flower and fruit when small. Susceptible to Lethal Yellowing. See Foxtail Palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) for an alternative choice with important similarities in size and use.

ELL mentions and illustrates a variegated form of this species, which is unattractive and looks ill.