Red Feather Palm, Blushing Palm

Chambeyronia macrocarpa Vieill.

sham-beh-ROAN-ee-ah  mac-row-CARP-ah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: The generic name commemorates Captain Charles Chambeyron, French Naval Officer (JON). Macrocarpa means large fruit.

Natural range: New Caledonia (ELL)

Natural habitat: Rainforest and dry forest (ELL)

Recognition: Single-trunked, pinnate-leaved palm with few, stiffly arching leaves and with a short crownshaft. The small number (20s) semi-pleated leaflets can be exceptionally broad, and tend to be shiny. Red young fronds facilitate identification, and the reddish coloration persists in the petioles, while the aging leaves take on bluish tones. (In Chambeyronia hookeri Becc. the crownshaft remains yellowish and the leaves tend to remain reddish, and can not tolerate full sun, NUR.)   The “watermelon form” has a yellow-striped crownshaft. The large fruits the size and shape of a hen’s egg are red.

Landscape uses: This slow-growing single-trunked specimen palm is in scale with residential yards and is notable for its red young fronds produced slowly (4-5 per year, MAI). FAI and JON describe the cultural preferences as warmth, humidity, well drained, loamy, organically enriched soil, and abundant water. (At least one grower reports tolerance of “wet feet.”) This tree requires shade when young (JON, MAI). ELL specifies 3-4 months for germination.