Hydriastele palauensis - near and far photos

[Justin]

I got back from Palau, and did manage to get some shots of Hydriastele palauensis in habitat. Interestingly, despite the books indicating that the palms primarily grow in limestone, the vast majority of palms grow farther north on the main islands, which are composed mostly of volcanic soil. The ones in the limestone (on the rock islands) seem to be there primarily because of birds dropping seed - the farther south you go, the less palms I saw. This one was the closest I got to, and was on one of the rock islands. Here's the near shot:

And here's the far, giving some context to the picture above:

The palm from the close-up shot is on the island on the right of the picture, in and among the Ironwood trees between the boats and the green benches.

[realarch]

Wow Justin, you found it.

Looks like it can get to be a large palm and I really like the habit of these big Hydriastele with the recurve leaves.

Tim

[edric]

Thanks Justin, Ed

[Mandrew968]

Pretty cool.

[Stevetoad]

what a beautiful place.

[doranakandawatta]

WOW!

Justin,

Many thanks for showing these 2 pics (do you have some more?)

Palau is a dream remote island for many of us, how do you reach that place?

I am sure you are the man who'll go next to Gag island and collect some Wallaceodoxa seeds. Many thanks in advance for all the seeds of this lovely species you'll send me.

More seriously, Hydriastele palauensis is a species I have seen only in "Palms" , it seems to be a very beautiful species.

thank you.

Phil

[bgl]

Justin,

How great it must have been to locate this palm! And I'm sure the entire trip itself must have been pretty amazing!

Bo-Göran

[comic097]

Great pic, sweet palm Justin, thanks for posting

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Gorgeous palm

[Justin]

WOW!

Justin,

Many thanks for showing these 2 pics (do you have some more?)

Palau is a dream remote island for many of us, how do you reach that place?

I am sure you are the man who'll go next to Gag island and collect some Wallaceodoxa seeds. Many thanks in advance for all the seeds of this lovely species you'll send me.

More seriously, Hydriastele palauensis is a species I have seen only in "Palms" , it seems to be a very beautiful species.

thank you.

Phil

You can reach from Guam or Manila. We turned in United points, so went LAX-HNL-GUM-ROR.

Here are other photos from the trip: https://www.flickr.com/photos/xtal0/sets/72157650538344501/