Caryota urens vs. Caryota maxima

[ahosey01]

Are these synonyms or are they actually different palms?

[tim_brissy_13]

They are both accepted in their own right. If you’re ever unsure, Kew keeps a checklist on accepted species available online. My understanding is that C urens is restricted to India and Sri Lanka and the true form relatively rarely cultivated, whereas C maxima is widespread throughout Asia and commonly cultivated. C maxima also now contains the previously accepted C bacsonensis and C ochlandra among others and is quite variable in form. 

[Harry’s Palms]

6 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

They are both accepted in their own right. If you’re ever unsure, Kew keeps a checklist on accepted species available online. My understanding is that C urens is restricted to India and Sri Lanka and the true form relatively rarely cultivated, whereas C maxima is widespread throughout Asia and commonly cultivated. C maxima also now contains the previously accepted C bacsonensis and C ochlandra among others and is quite variable in form. 

Does this mean my Caryota Urens is probably Maxima? I bought the seedling from a collector here in Ventura about 30 years ago. It is very tall now , just keep watching for the terminal inflorescence. HarryThe Caryota on the left (x 2) was believed to be Urens

[tim_brissy_13]

I wouldn’t claim to be able to give a positive ID from a picture from distance, but I would say that they do look like they are within the maxima complex. I believe urens are generally a bit chunkier. Of course growing conditions could be a factor too.