undeveloped inflorescence on mule palm

[pt42]

We've had mule palms for several years, but I was surprised when a spathe opened to reveal a very underdeveloped inflorescence. Usually the spathes are about a meter and they burst open to reveal a meter long inflorescence. This year I see four spathes. The first one opened last week, and looked normal (the inflorescence was about a meter), and the second spathe just opened, but the inflorescence was only about 15cm. Below is a picture of the crown, and a close up of the undeveloped/underdeveloped inflorescence.

Any idea what causes this? Any reason for concern?

 

[pt42]

For reference, here is the inflorescence from the first spathe that opened a week earlier:

[SEVA]

I too am curious about what would cause an abnormal inflorescence.  My pindo palm bloomed for the first time over the summer and is currently pushing out a seventh inflorescence.  Three of the inflorescences have been abnormal.

Here is one of them.  It didn't even produce a spathe with this one, just a short inflorescence.

[SEVA]

Here is another, it appears that this one tried to bloom before the spathe fully developed.

[SEVA]

And another.

[SEVA]

This is what the previous two spathes looked like once they grew out and opened.

[SEVA]

From a different view.

[SEVA]

I helped this one (fourth) open, because it looked like it was beginning to rot at the tip.  I left the fifth spathe alone.  It never opened, so I opened it and it was rotten inside.  The sixth and seventh spathes haven't opened yet.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

This is normal. nothing to worry about, just a few bumps in the road to sexual maturity .