Which Rhopalostylis is this?

[Tracy]

I am seeking the input of the Rhopalostylis authorities to nail down the species of a couple of them in have grown for several years. 

I have a similar one to this growing in Carlsbad which were both much faster than my Rhopalostylis sapidas.  This variety started to create inflorescence at about the same time as the first ring, so very early.  Leaflets start a few inches above the petiole base as the photo shows.  It does not exhibit the bulbous leaf base when young but the one in Carlsbad is just now becoming more bulbous with about 5 feet of trunk and at least a decade since it began flowering.  Flowers are a white color and fruit turns red.  Photos below are all the younger one growing in Leucadia.   Neither were sourced from someone that knew the species or variety accurately.   Each came from a different source. 

[PalmCode]

That definitely looks like R baueri to me along with the white flowers. I dont know if it's the Norfolk or kermadec variety though...Heres my kermadec palm for reference.

[Tyrone]

Rhopalostylis baueri for sure. 

[Tracy]

This is one of my Rhopalostylis sapida which has been much slower.  Our current tenant in Carlsbad has done an excellent job taking care of the palms.  He gives perspective on size.  It was planted from a 15 gallon about 18 years ago. 

[Tyrone]

I’m thinking it’s a Norfolk Island palm Rhopalostylis baueri var baueri.

Heres one of mine flowering. 

[Darold Petty]

Tracy, I agree that you show a R. baueri.  The crownshaft 'bulge' is both more extreme and more variable in sapida, depending on the number and size of the spadices growing within.  R. baueri, not so much.

Also, standard R. sapida has flower buds light purple/liver colored while R. baueri has cream colored buds.  Just to make things more difficult, R. sapida 'Chatham Island' has cream flower buds.    The presence or absence of a petiole is only a characteristic of mature, trunked palms.  Juvenile sapida will have a silver or ash colored petiole, while baueri will show maroon or purplish.  

[Palms1984]

It looks very similar to my 20 year old Rhopalostylis baueri.  My palm was burned last September when we had the 107 degree day.  

[Tyrone]

7 hours ago, Palms1984 said:

It looks very similar to my 20 year old Rhopalostylis baueri.  My palm was burned last September when we had the 107 degree day.  

Looking good for having seen 107F in full sun. They don’t like temps like that especially when not in the shade. 

[gyuseppe]

14 hours ago, Tyrone said:

I’m thinking it’s a Norfolk Island palm Rhopalostylis baueri var baueri.

Heres one of mine flowering. 

Tyrone congratulations is very beautiful

[Jim in Los Altos]

All mine are at the stage where I get volunteers under them regularly now. 
 

 

[Palms1984]

10 hours ago, Tyrone said:

Looking good for having seen 107F in full sun. They don’t like temps like that especially when not in the shade. 

There’s a very large Jacaranda tree above it.  It helped out a bit. 

[Palms1984]

3 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

All mine are at the stage where I get volunteers under them regularly now. 
 

 

Your palms are beautiful!  It’s surprising they don’t burn.  I lived in Palo Alto many years ago, I know it can get very hot there.  

[Harry’s Palms]

I have a very young R. Bauri Cheesmania that has been in the ground about a year or so. It seems to grow at a pretty good pace in mostly shade . The purplish maroon coloring on the petiole is quite obvious. Harry

[Jim in Los Altos]

9 hours ago, Palms1984 said:

Your palms are beautiful!  It’s surprising they don’t burn.  I lived in Palo Alto many years ago, I know it can get very hot there.  

Shade is everything with these in hot weather. Heat waves seem fewer and farther between now though. Been mostly in the 70s so far this summer and haven’t exceeded 85° either. The cool climate palms like Ceroxylon, Hedescepe, Howea, etc. are loving it! 

[Jim in Los Altos]

14 hours ago, Palms1984 said:

Your palms are beautiful!  It’s surprising they don’t burn.  I lived in Palo Alto many years ago, I know it can get very hot there.  

This one gets the most sun which is mostly late afternoon when temperatures are at their max. Just a little bit of tip burn. Early autumn dry heat waves are worse since the sun is at a lower angle and more direct sun hits the palm then. 
 

[Billeb]

Here’s mine in the backyard sold to me as Baueri. 2nd pic is Nov 2020 so It’s very happy and grown great.  I just noticed yesterday how big and wide it’s getting. Crown is a little smaller than a 5G bucket. No rings yet. 
 

-dale