Spindle Palm

Hyophorbe verschaffelti H.Wendl.

(with comments on Bottle Palm, Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (L. H. Bailey) H. E. Moore)

hi-ah-FOUR-bee  ver-chef-ALT-ee-eye, and lay-gen-ah-CALL-us

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek, hys, pig, and phorbe, food, indicating consumption of the fruits by pigs. Ambrose C. A. Verschaffelt was a 19^th Century nurseryman. Lageni-caulis means “bottle stem.”

Natural range: Both species (all five species in the genus) from the Mascarene Islands (RI2). Forests, savannas (JON). Both species are limited to single populations in their natural habitat (JON).

Recognition: Both species are stiff, single-stemmed, pinnate-leaved palms. Both have crownshafts. The trunk of H. verschaffleti is spindle-shaped and broadest above the middle except when young. This species develops a swelling ta the base of the crownshaft (absent in H. lagenicaulis), and there tends to be substantial reddish coloring on the petiole and rachis when young (nearly absent in H. lagenicaulis). Its white-to-darker flowers are fragrant, and the leaflets are arranged irregularly. The trunk of H. lagenicaulis is shaped like a bottle with no swelling at the base of the crownshaft, and the leaves are twisted with the leaflets mostly in 2 rows; its flowers are off-white. (The vaguely similar Majesty Palm has no crownshaft.) 

Landscape uses (largely from MEE and BR1): Both species are focal points and sometimes are planted in groups. According to MEE, H. lagenicaulis is especially cold sensitive and prone to potassium deficiency. Both require irrigation. Both are suitable for containers and indoors. Bottom heat helps the seed germinate in 6 months (ELL).