Triangle Palm

Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J. Dransf. (and see synonym below)

DIP-sis deh-CARE-ee-eye

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: The origin of the name Dypsis is unclear. Decaryi honors Raymond Decary who first collected the palm (JON).

Synonym: Neodypsis decaryi Jumelle. Although there has been a recent trend to accept reclassification in a broad genus Dypsis, as defined by Beentje & Dransfield in the 1995 Palms of Madagascar, many references list this palm as a species of Neodypsis.

Natural range: Madagascar, where the species is endangered from habitat destruction and excessive seed collection (RI2)

Natural habitat: Dry forests on poor soil (RI2)

Recognition: Readily recognized by triangular trunk, blue-toned leaves, and long marginal reins.

Landscape uses: A very popular specimen palm with distinctive character (see recognition above). Due to the geometric shape and to the glaucous blue coloration, this palm should be combined with other plants thoughtfully. In some settings it is a little too distinctive. Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens in Orlando has a magnificent planting of this species, although as this is being written, I do not know how this planting fared in the 2004-2005 hurricanes. Germination requires 2-3 months (ELL).