Forms of Howea Forsteriana

[palmtreesforpleasure]

Hello Folks,

Wal here using Colin's sign in, in New South Wales staying with Colin. In a town nearby, we have located and obtained some amazing forms of Kentia palm. We thought the palm community might be interested to see. I for one couldn't believe my eyes with one of these forms. I thought it was a Kentiopsis or similar. Anyway, here are the photos we took. Enjoy.

The upright form on my right and the rubra form on my left.

The upright form with stiff shuttlecock petioles and shorter than regular leaflets.

Upright and rubra forms.

Iceberg form.

[palmtreesforpleasure]

This rubra form has a wonderful green variegation across the leaflets with dark red veins.

Another rubra showing it's red veins and petiole.

Another with a new bronze leaf, now fading.

Yet another rubra showing red petioles and red new spear.

This young kentia palm along with a few of it's friends are showing this unusual long petiole with shortened leaflets on the end of the petiole.

Surprises aplenty with the humble Kentia palm. Cheers Wal.

[Pip]

They are interesting. The rubra form look exciting. Is the iceberg form more sensitive to full sun?

[Walter John]

They are interesting. The rubra form look exciting. Is the iceberg form more sensitive to full sun?

Yes Pip, will need shade yet good light like other variegated palms.

[Gonzer]

The red form is an anomoly, it eventually fades.

[Rafael]

Calling taxonomists

[Walter John]

The upright form stays upright, as for the rubra I believe not all turn back to normal as there has been some that carry these traits into maturity and keep their new reddish new leaf.

[Walter John]

Note: Only a handful of the "Rubra" forms will be available for sale at this weekends PACSOA (Palm and Cycad Society of Australia) annual show and sales. Your best chance to find some home grown delectable rare palms like these.

Reiterating, my man tells me that certain "rubra" forms with new red leaves have stayed that way into maturity.

[JT in Japan]

Beautiful shots, Wal. I really like seeing more of the Kentia.

JT