Carpe Diem

[Darold Petty]

I often travel to overseas vacations, preferably locations with native palms.  There are many conditions that must align for a successful seed collection.  With the probability that I might never return to a particular location I will make marginal collections.  Here are two examples from a trip to far south Ecuador in November, 2014

  I went to the exact location of the red crownshaft form of Geonoma undata, and used the same local guide as did Dick Endt in the 1990's.  There were 3 or 4 palms species growing together, including a small palm very similar to Prestoea acuminata.  The guide told me that Dick could not identify this palm, and that Dick had referred to it as the "little brown jobber". One of the palms had seeds that seemed to be nearly mature, but the epicarp had not yet changed from green to colored.  I collected about 50 seeds, and dispersed the balance far from the parent tree.  My reasoning was that perhaps the embryo might be sufficiently developed to germinate, even though the seed was clearly not fully mature.  Here is a photo of the collection and one of the result, one plant from the 50 seeds.

[doranakandawatta]

Many of us, I think, dream of such overseas vacations!

Personally I wish I am able to reach the exact location of Lodoicea bearing mature fruits and no guard or customs to make it difficult (where can this be?) and next the exact location of Wallaceodoxa covered with nice red fruits. Then I'll post photo of nice seedlings, as you do.

More seriously, it must have been a great experience, thanks for sharing.

Philippe

[Darold Petty]

My second example of 'Carpe Diem' is from the same day and location.  The Inca Trail is just off the main highway, and has become deeply grooved from centuries of use.  In the Trail I noticed a pile of animal excrement that contained Ceroxylon seeds.  Without hesitation I scooped up the pile with a plastic bag, just as one would with dog waste on a walk!  Later that day back at the hotel I washed the seeds out in a plastic waste container.  I recovered seeds that must be either Ceroxylon parvifrons or C. vogelianum, as these two were the only Ceroxylon species in the area.  Here is the result,  19 sprouts from the 20 seeds !!

  I use the pot method for germination, then gently tease apart the seedllings in water, don't overlook the slower seeds, and the result, 19 more Ceroxylons in California ! 

Based on the collection circumstances I am temporarily calling these Ceroxylon sp. "LaMierde'.  Based on the heavy indumentum on the top side of the veins I would first guess that they are C. parvifrons. 

[peachy]

When I inherit your house I will tell all the garden visitors the stories behind my wonderful palms.

[doranakandawatta]

animal excrement that contained Ceroxylon seeds:  19 sprouts from the 20 seeds !!

Is this frequent with other Arecaceae species? Do the excrement process help the germination?
Should I find animal excrements containing Lodoicea seeds? (lol)

 

[richnorm]

Dick still has one  Prestoea sp. "little brown jobber".  Pretty tall palm now but no seed.    Those Ceroxylon look very interesting indeed. Real treasures both. Great post.

[Tassie_Troy1971]

Fabulous account of your Adventures Darold If you have any more pictures of that particular area please post them for us .

The Ceroxylon species look perfect !

This time last year you were gearing up for your Lord Howe Island /Australian adventure.

 

cheers Troy

[DoomsDave]

All the excrement we go through for palminess sometimes comes to a good end!

Bravo, Darold!

[foxtail]

"LaMierde" lol

[palmfriend]

This is very educating! Thank you very much for sharing your experiences and these photos!

 

best regards

 

[Darold Petty]

Foxtail, sorry I messed up the adjective/noun gender compliiance ! 

[DoomsDave]

Coyotes eat Washie seeds, and that's one way they spread. With kitty-cat for fertilizer . . . .

[Josh-O]

Darold, your the man!!!!

cool thread and what an exciting adventure.

I look forward to hearing more.

BTY, those parajubea cocoides seeds you sent me 11/2 yrs ago are now sprouting