Aiphanes lindeniana

[JasonD]

Has anyone in the cooler palm-growing areas grown Aiphanes lindeniana, a palm that grows as high as 2700m/8800ft above sea level? According to altitude listings in Henderson's Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas, others in the genus that might thrive in cool areas include A. chiribogensis, A. duquei, A. erinacea, A. linearis, and A. verrucosa. These all reach habitats at least 2000m/6562ft above sea level, which is a guideline for anticipating equatorial plants' success in San Francisco gardens.

I'm addressing particularly gardeners in coastal California, New Zealand, Tasmania, Capetown, Melbourne, Albany Western Australia, Portugal and Atlantic Europe, highland tropical locations like Volcano, Hawaii, but would be happy to hear from anyone of course.

[richnorm]

I'm sure some of the aiphanes would grow here. I have only tried aculeata which failed convincingly but showed some cool tolerance. Getting seed is the problem. It's good to also know the minimum distribution as some palms with quite high maximums just don't cut the mustard here. We are allowed lindeniana so if you find a supply of seed I would be very interested!

cheers

Richard

[Halekuma]

Aiphanes concinna is the cold hardiest... It grows above 3000 m in Colombia.