Genus Allagoptera

[PalmatierMeg]

This genus consists of 5, maybe 6 species (A. robusta the latest?). I have 4 of those in my yard; only the very leucocalyx stays out of reach. Today I took some photos of mine.

Allagoptera arenaria, the so-called "Seashore Palm". I've had this species the longest, planted it on our garden lot in 2011/12. It has seeded the past couple years but produces no viable seeds. Don't know why.

 

Allagoptera campestris - This species and brevicalyx look like arenaria: same dark green plumose leaves and low growth habit.

[PalmatierMeg]

Allagoptera (formerly Polyandrococos) caudescens - I have two out 3 still alive. My oldest was originally planted on my garden lot in full sun but burned badly. I was advised on PT to move it. I repotted it and after a time replanted it behind my Archo alex on the east side of the house. Right now it is struggling with sunburn and nutritional deficiency but as we're in fertilizer blackout, I will have to wait to Oct. to feed. Considering my other 3 species do quite nicely in full sun, I question why it was moved to this genus. It also forms a substantial trunk, which the others don't. Next to it is my youngest A. caudescens still in strap leaf stage. I like this species because it has that primitive dinosaur-era look, esp. when producing a spear.

 

Allagoptera brevicalyx - This is my latest species, bought a couple years ago at a Palm Beach sale.

P.S. If anyone is growing A. leucocalyx, please post photos

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Does the campestris make viable seed?

[PalmatierMeg]

7 minutes ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

Does the campestris make viable seed?

I don't know. I think it started flowering just this year. I will check but I believe the fruit (it hasn't produced many) may not be ripe yet - looks kind of yellow and I think it should be bright orange. Correct me if I'm wrong. I usually test them to be sure they are viable, assuming there is even seed material there. My seashore fruit looks great but inside is nothing.

[Beach palm]

Brevicalyx only looks like arenaria when small. Once it gets to maturity they can easily be differentiated. Leucocalyx has less spiral in its leaf structure. To me campestris and leucocalyx look very similar.

[Mandrew968]

I think brevicalyx is the best looking, but I don't grow them all. It certainly is a prolithic seed maker, unlike the seashore palm--it has to have two different inflorescence to be receptive at the same time and with just one plant, this rarely happens. Caudescens may be the best grower for me. Shade and not too much water and it will go nuts. No water and shade and it will be fine, but much slower.

[Zeeth]

Here's a trunking Allagoptera at the USF botanical gardens. There's one at Kopsick too that was transplanted from the Young garden.

 

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

I was unaware that any Allagoptera would develop a trunk.

[Zeeth]

19 minutes ago, TexasColdHardyPalms said:

I was unaware that any Allagoptera would develop a trunk.

They normally don't.