Phoenix theophrasti, orange variety

[Phoenikakias]

When I had inspected myself the natural population of Vai, I had observed a veri conspicuous variation of color on leaf bases among individuals. It happened very often the two plants (speaking of two different plants or clumps, not referring also to suckers, which never differ from main stem) were growing side by side  and only had bright orange leaf bases. IMO it has nothing to do with cultivation or sun exposure, moreover it should be a natural variation. It has taken place in the recent years in Athens, a group planting of trunking specimens and most them have bright orange leaf bases. This is obviously not a coincidence but rather a result of horticultural selection because probably of the colorful habit. Here are some nice pictures taken in good light conditions. 

[Phoenikakias]

[dalmatiansoap]

Nice color!

[palmtreesforpleasure]

There are 2 forms and the only large stands of both forms are on a desolate beach in Turkey. Only access is by boat. Amazing sight to behold

Original plants planted there by the Phonecians 

 

Regards

Colin

[Laaz]

I have three & they all have the orange / yellow leaf bases. Hard to see in this photo.

 

[Josh-O]

one of my favorite phoenix palms

[Phoenikakias]

There are 2 forms and the only large stands of both forms are on a desolate beach in Turkey. Only access is by boat. Amazing sight to behold

Original plants planted there by the Phonecians 

 

Regards

Colin

You sound pretty sure about those information. The tale of the Phoenicians (or the pirates, or the merchants; there are several versions of a tale trying to explain the existance of isolated palm population in areas otherwise devoid of native palms) fails further to explain why humans generally created in the past palm groves consisting of economically insignificant palms. What are the features that distinguish each of those two forms?