Three Dypsis hovomantsina, now Chrysalidocarpus, were purchased in April 2011 in 4-inch pots from Floribunda. They were potted up and grown until planted in the garden July 2014. They were brothers, always together, growing and looking like identical triplets. They were planted fairly close to each other, but each in a different situation: one on low hill made from local soil piled up during construction of a path, the 2nd in a low spot a short distance away, and the 3rd up on a higher mound created years before when part of the area was cleared and logs, soil and rocks were piled up and rotted and compacted over time. 

The one on the highest mound was thickly consumed in weeds off and on over the years, and was the last to form a trunk. I uncovered it again  yesterday and this was the trunk reveal:

The more mature siblings look like this:

Any idea what might explain the pronounced difference? 

Wow Kim, what a difference.

All are beautiful, but I await the opinion of others as to the reason(s) for the diversity. 

I understand the genetic luck of the draw that makes my brothers look different, but they looked different even as young children. 

I have no idea but it sure looks amazing! 

Beautiful! Harry

All three are spectacular palms and to see one of them so dramatically different from the other two is definitely surprising, even stunning. I can ALMOST see it from my front lanai, some 130 ft away, if it weren't for a grove of tall Bentinckia condapanna that annoyingly are in the way and blocking my view! Oh well...😃

all I can say is YELLOW 🤠

Some nice palms Kim the jungle look all the way.

I expect the trunk to turn green over time as it is exposed to sunlight, which the others do as well. It will be interesting to see if the bold gold color persists with future fallen fronds. 

@happypalms -- Jungle in this area for sure. The reason this palm gets engulfed in weeds is that the footing around it is somewhat uncertain. In fact last year as I was weeding, the earth gave way under my left foot and I found myself with one leg hip deep in a huge lava tree hole! Didn't know it was there, covered by a layer of earth and vegetation. 

Kim, nice unexpected find in your jungle treasure hunt! Be interesting to see how the additional exposure will affect the palm’s appearance. For the better? It’s already beautiful.

Keep Bo away from the Sawzall, I know those pesky B. condapanna are always in the way.

Such an attractive palm, one of the favorites in the garden.

Tim