Years ago, I imported seed of three supposedly different Ravenea from the Comoros. They are R. hidebrandtii, R. Sp Anjouan, and R. Sp. Mayotte. I was told by the French seed collector that all three of these have different characteristics and are possibly different species. I have not as of yet read any published information verifying any of this. Maybe John Dransfield knows more about these palms and could help me with clarification.

I am growing all three of these here in Hawaii, both the R. hildebbrandtii and the Sp. Anjouan look to me to be the same. The Sp Mayotte is different looking, I am speculating by reading the descriptions in POM that the Sp Mayotte is actually R. moorei from the Island of Grande Comore. I recall seeing a larger palm at the garden of Bill Dickenson, labeled Ravenea moorei. His palm looks very much like what I am growing as R. Sp Mayotte. Bill's palm came from Louie Hooper and Louie's seed came from Armand D Hull from Florida who was also purchasing seed from the same seed distributor. Be low are some pictures.

Jerry

Ravenea hildebrandtii

Ravenea Sp. Anjouan

Ravenea Sp Anjouan

Ravenea Sp Mayotte

Ravenea Sp Mayotte

I think I agree with you Jerry that Mayotte is possibly Moorei. All the R. Moorei I have seen look like a bigger more robust form of Hildebrandtii and yours looks just like those I have seen. Pictures are always difficult, but the Hildebrandtii and Anjoan do look like the same palm.

Gary

Jerry,

While we are on the topic of Ravenea, do you have any info regarding the Ravenea Sp.Monompano? Where were those seeds collected from. Also should it be grown in Sun or shade on the coast in Encinitas? Thanks

Nick

I had one in full sun here in inland valleys so no problem on the coast. I think a 15 gallon size plant is ready for the full sun, smaller plants to need be sheltered a little bit.

Gary

Thanks Gary! Any ideas what this species might really be?

I lost a hildebrandtii once, must try again someday, I love these palms.

Some nice Ravenea you have there Jerry. I think Ravenea are a much overlooked genus, with most going for Dypsis. Ravenea are beautiful.

Best regards

Tyrone

I've had the pleasure of seeing both Gary and Len's R. hildebrandii that are planted in full inland sun and they are stunning!

Nick,

Ravenea Sp manompana is from seed that was sent to me from Madagascar years ago. I remember questioning the seed merchant about Ravenea manompana and few others with names like R Sp Fierenana, R. Sp Asokafana, and R. Sp Marinjo. My concern at the time was that I might be buying a lot of Ravenea rivilaris seed. The seed dealer assured me that these were different and that they were not published in POM. Time will tell. I do have several of these growing here in Hawaii and they are different.

Ravenea Manompana is growing outdoors at my Fallbrook nursery and I just recently planted one out in San Clemente. They seem to grow well in Southern Calif.

Tyrone,

Thanks, Ravenea's are very nice and I think that there should be more interest in this group of palms.

Jerry

Jerry - here are the Pictures of my R. Anjoun and R. Hildebrandtii, also here is a picture of R. Sp. New, if anybody has an idea of what it might be please let me know.

Thanks,

Bill

Anjoun

Clsoe up

Hildebrandtii

Clsoe up

R, Sp. New??

Bill, all your Ravenea are beautiful, but they all look identical to me.

Gary

Bill, all your Ravenea are beautiful, but they all look identical to me.

Gary

I would have to agree, at least from the pictures. Maybe in person they have their differences.

Jeff

Bill, did you get that ""New" from Phil? I got one too and it is by far the fastest Ravenea I have. I get a frond a month out of it. No joke. I bought it last fall as a 3 gallon and it is now in a 15. But like Gary pointed out, the bigger it gets, the more it looks like Hildebrandtii.

I have decent 15 gal sized asokafana and Marinjo. The asokafana looks different, but the marinjo looks like glauca or kingaly.

I was by JD Anderson nursery a few weeks back and I purchased what was either Ravanea hillebrandtii or mayotte, Dan was not 100% sure, but either way I am stoked about the plant. It opened a new frond a week after I got it home. It is a very nice plant and I will be planting it next spring (which can't come soon enough).

Mike

I have decent 15 gal sized asokafana and Marinjo. The asokafana looks different, but the marinjo looks like glauca or kingaly.

I like your asokafana Bill. Have you seen my Ravenea boondonosila? it looks like Kingali also, but my Mohidagana definately looks like Anjoan.

Gary

Whatthe hell Gary. Is this for real?

I have decent 15 gal sized asokafana and Marinjo. The asokafana looks different, but the marinjo looks like glauca or kingaly.

I like your asokafana Bill. Have you seen my Ravenea boondonosila? it looks like Kingali also, but my Mohidagana definately looks like Anjoan.

Gary

Those are great looking specimens!

Bill, did you get that ""New" from Phil? I got one too and it is by far the fastest Ravenea I have. I get a frond a month out of it. No joke. I bought it last fall as a 3 gallon and it is now in a 15. But like Gary pointed out, the bigger it gets, the more it looks like Hildebrandtii.

Len - they all three came from Phil, with the feedback from everyone, I agree that the "Anjoun" & Hildebrandtii are the same, the Anjoun grows at least as fast as you are talking about, it is getting ready to open its second frond this month any day. It was a 5 gal about 15 months ago when I planted it and I think it will have a ring of trunk before Christmas. My Sp. New also grows quickly, but not as fast as the "Anjoun". I really appreciate everybody's feedback. Ravenea's are a great palm.

Bill

Very nice pics Bill. Your garden looks awesome. The Ravenea new is very hardy also. I had one gallon that took the freeze no problem. Got one in full sun and one in shade. Both as green as can be.

Very nice pics Bill. Your garden looks awesome. The Ravenea new is very hardy also. I had one gallon that took the freeze no problem. Got one in full sun and one in shade. Both as green as can be.

Thanks for the kind words. I have two of the Sp. New also. The one pictured is in Sun until about 2pm everyday and I have the other in dappled light both are green as can be and growing equally as fast. How about a picture of your's?

Bill

Bill,

Your palms look great! Now you need to add a Ravenea moorei to your collection.

Jerry

Bill,

Your palms look great! Now you need to add a Ravenea moorei to your collection.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry - I think your right, can you help me out?

Bill

All this Ravenea talk got me excited to plant one so I did. Thanks for the encouragement!

Ravenea Sp. New

Go Nick go! Matty stopped by tonite and helped watch me planting my biggest Chamby houilou (sp). I have a big 5 gal monompona to plant by this weekend. Yours rocks!!!! (I stopped for your sale Sat., you weren't there.)