Solitaire Palm, Alexander Palm

Ptychosperma elegans (R. Br.) Blume

tie-coe-SPERM-ah EL-eh-gans

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from Greek ptychos, wrinkled, and sperma, seed. Elegans is self-explanatory.

Natural range: Australia. Lowland rainforest (RI2)

Recognition: Solitaire Palm is challenging to distinguish from the other tall slender palms. However, it (and MacArthur Palm, P. macarthurii) uniquely have leaves that do not taper to a point (or nearly to a point as in Veitchia). Recognize the ptychospermas by their leaflets looking like they were chopped off leaving a ragged end. Solitaire Palm is single-trunked (although often planted in pairs or triplets). MacArthur Palm is multitrunked and more slender with the stems reminiscent of bamboo.

Landscape uses: Perhaps the most used tall slender palm (but also see Montgomery Palm and Carpentaria Palm). This fast-growing species is broad in its tolerances, including coastal conditions, and serves for accenting buildings. It is in scale with residential settings, and flourishes indoors. According to FAI, apparently not susceptible to Lethal Yellowing. MEE notes a preference for wind protection, and Hurricane Wilma (2005) decapitated individuals of this species. Germination in 3-4 months (ELL).