Sealing Wax / Lipstick Palm - Cyrtostachys renda colours

[Daryl]

I picked up a nice specimen of this species today, and it was unusual in that it had some bronze colouration to the opening leaves.

Has anybody noticed this trait with their plants? Or could this possibly be a hybrid?

I remember at the Thailand Biennial we saw the amazing collection of Cyrtostachys renda and it's many varieties, but my memory is now too fuzzy to picture this one

Any help appreciated...thanks!

Daryl

[kwtimo]

What I do know from my own experience is that none of my Cyrtostachys renda have ever produced bronze emergents. However, the Cyrtostachys hybrid that has been circulating over the last few years always puts them out. Mine is in fairly low light, but I'm fairly certain that they do this even in bright light situations. I would say that yours is most likely the hybrid. And they are quite fast growing for us in South Florida and the Keys.

[Really full garden]

Two of my large Cyrtostachys renda in my highland garden have always had bronze emergents leaves. It is interesting to note that these two came from the same source and are more orange than red. I have had them three years.

[Daryl]

Thanks for the comments. I had hoped it was a hybrid but now it still seems clear as mud...

[Tropicgardener]

The one that I had growing in my Tannum Sands garden had bronze leaves that turned green with age. It tended to be slightly more orange and definitely was not the classic red.

[Cindy Adair]

I only have three in Puerto Rico, but they have the classic bright red trunks and petioles and no hint of bronze in the leaves. Your photo looks different to me. Congratulations on your new palm, whatever the name.

[Jeff Searle]

I am certainly not 100%, but your plant Daryl does resemble a hybrid. The plant is still too small and especially for me looking at the picture but I notice the very large leave off to the right. One thing the hybrids differ from C. renda is, the leaves are much more longer. Either way, you should know by the end of the year or so. The hybrids are extreamly fast, a longer leaf and more of a orange-ish red coloring in the crown.