Caryota?

[Sandy Loam]

Is this tree in the photo a caryota?  If so, which type is it?   Don't they die after twenty years?  I recall reading somewhere that caryota cannot be removed easily either.  Is that true? 

 

[kinzyjr]

10 minutes ago, Sandy Loam said:

    

Is this tree in the photo a caryota? Yes.

If so, which type is it? Caryota mitis

Don't they die after twenty years? The stems are monocarpic - they die after they set fruit.  Since it is clustering though, this is less of a concern as new stems usually replace the dead ones.  Once in a while you'll get one that is fully monocarpic.

I recall reading somewhere that caryota cannot be removed easily either.  Is that true? Yeah, they are difficult to dig out if they occupy a large space.

Here is the Palmpedia: https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Caryota_mitis

I disagree slightly with them looking bad outside of South Florida and Hawaii.  The Caryota mitis 'variegata' at the west entrance to Lakeland City Hall is breathtaking.  I'm not a fan of the Caryota genus, but they can dig that one out and truck it here any day of the week.

 

[NOT A TA]

They fruit repeatedly lower and lower over years on a stem before the stem dies, it's not like you just get fruit once on a stem and then the stem dies.

[Fusca]

Bigger types like urens (gigas) are more of a pain to remove when they die for obvious reasons.

Edited August 18, 2022 by Fusca

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

10 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

The Caryota mitis 'variegata' at the west entrance to Lakeland City Hall is breathtaking. 

We must see a pic of this specimen now. Im a huge fan of this genus but since they are monocarpic keeps them out of moat gardens. A large C.Gigas is a show stopper if you have the room. South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa Cali use to have one and it was glorious. 

T J 

[Tracy]

16 hours ago, kinzyjr said:

I disagree slightly with them looking bad outside of South Florida and Hawaii. 

I would have to agree with you.  These are all growing nearby and two I have grown, one here in Leucadia that I removed after it began producing flowers and the other (C obtusa bought as C gigas) is still growing in my Carlsbad garden.

 

15 hours ago, NOT A TA said:

They fruit repeatedly lower and lower over years on a stem before the stem dies, it's not like you just get fruit once on a stem and then the stem dies.

Agree, but there exists experiences that as soon as they begin to fruit, the stem and root system does appear to weaken, leaving them more susceptible.  I mention this because there are plenty of posts or mentions of members who have had them fall in storms after they began to fruit.  Due to proximity to my house, I didn't wait to find out how long the process is when mine began to flower.  My friend in La Habra can weigh in on his experience.... Dave?????

[NOT A TA]

2 hours ago, Tracy said:

I mention this because there are plenty of posts or mentions of members who have had them fall in storms after they began to fruit. 

My post was specifically about the Caryota mitis being discussed prior to that post. Other Caryota behave differently.

[kinzyjr]

14 hours ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said:

We must see a pic of this specimen now. Im a huge fan of this genus but since they are monocarpic keeps them out of moat gardens. A large C.Gigas is a show stopper if you have the room. South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa Cali use to have one and it was glorious. 

T J 

Ask and you shall receive:

 

For the folks joining us for the CFPACS Fall Meeting and Tour, you'll get to see it up close and personal.

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/73966-central-florida-palm-cycad-society-fall-meeting-sat-10222022/

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

37 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

Ask and you shall receive:

Your right that is a specimen. Looks like a mini Urens !! Wonder how much trouble it is too keep it a single ? Or is it a double ? 

T J 

[kinzyjr]

4 minutes ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said:

Your right that is a specimen. Looks like a mini Urens !! Wonder how much trouble it is too keep it a single ? Or is it a double ? 

T J 

It's a double.  Our city's grounds crews spoil us.

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

4 minutes ago, kinzyjr said:

It's a double.  Our city's grounds crews spoil us.

Would you say it's close to 20' tall ? Definitely the nicest Mitis pics i have seen. 

T J 

[kinzyjr]

2 minutes ago, OC2Texaspalmlvr said:

Would you say it's close to 20' tall ? Definitely the nicest Mitis pics i have seen. 

T J 

Probably more.  The double doors in the back of the first photo are over 6 feet and not nearly as far away as they look.  It's very difficult to get a good shot of this one that captures the scale of it because the view from the street is somewhat obscured by a very wide Magnolia grandiflora. 

There are two palms that typically stun folks on local tours - this Caryota and the Roystonea regia at the Cleveland Heights golf course.  The Caryota because it is variegated and has a variegated Clusia rosea (autograph tree) right next to it, with both against a backdrop of 20 ft. + Giant Bird of Paradise.  The Royal at the golf course because the trunk and crownshaft are so thick.

For a view of the Royal:

https://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/61172-remarkable-palms-of-tampa-bay/&page=15&tab=comments#comment-1054615