I planted this Rhopalostylis sapida that was collected from seed near Auckland NZ as a small seedling 15 years ago.

It's fronds are very upright in growth habit compared to my 4 other Rhopalostylis.

This year it flowered and set seeds for the first time.

 

Wow, that is upright! Beautiful palm, Troy. 

Thanks Troy for teasing me, I can wait for the few I have to be as beautiful as your one!

That is very tightly held but beautiful. My old Sapida was a bit more relaxed than that but still very upright if I remember correctly. I lost it to heat because I planted it in the wrong location for my climate. It was very large , almost 6’ of smooth trunk. Harry

That's particularly upright and must have caught the collector's eye.  There are so many different forms around here. They would have evolved in dense forest.

I have a Rhopalostylis sapida that is extremely upright like Troy's plant.  It was labeled as "Auckland Form" when I purchased it.  It's been a relatively fast grower for me in the SF Bay Area (compared to my other Rhopalostylis).  My plant has been in the ground for about 12 years from a 5-gallon pot.  It started flowering a few years ago, but it didn't produce any seeds until this year.

11 hours ago, Jeff_H said:

I have a Rhopalostylis sapida that is extremely upright like Troy's plant.  It was labeled as "Auckland Form" when I purchased it.  It's been a relatively fast grower for me in the SF Bay Area (compared to my other Rhopalostylis).  My plant has been in the ground for about 12 years from a 5-gallon pot.  It started flowering a few years ago, but it didn't produce any seeds until this year.

That looks very similar to mine 

22 hours ago, happypalms said:

Thanks Troy for teasing me, I can wait for the few I have to be as beautiful as your one!

I haven't sent you seeds from this one but I can after xmas

9 minutes ago, Tassie_Troy1971 said:

I haven't sent you seeds from this one but I can after xmas

Alright Santa got me some palm seeds, good old Santa comes good, it pays to be off the naughty list! Thanks

23 hours ago, richnorm said:

That's particularly upright and must have caught the collector's eye.  There are so many different forms around here. They would have evolved in dense forest.

Rich, in habitat, do these eventually relax a bit if they emerge from the canopy? Or do they keep the tight shape regardless??

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Rich, in habitat, do these eventually relax a bit if they emerge from the canopy? Or do they keep the tight shape regardless??

Don’t know about habitat, but this one in Melb Botanic Gardens has always been very tightly upright. It’s had clear trunk and been free of canopy since I can remember. 

In habitat, the majority you see are upright. Occasionally you see more  arching habit with palms growing down in valleys that are hidden from the sun more above the canopy.

Here's mine growing, the kereru pigeons love eating the ripe seeds, all gone in a couple days.

7 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Rich, in habitat, do these eventually relax a bit if they emerge from the canopy? Or do they keep the tight shape regardless??

No they stay the same, if anything they are more relaxed under canopy. I know some palms, like Ceroxylons do relax once they have punched through to the full sun.

‘That is so cool ! Harry

Thanks for posting the bird image, the only animals to consume my nikau seeds are rats.  

These are in Golden Bay, not Auckland, but it shows the difference when they're under the canopy VS exposed

1 hour ago, Motlife said:

These are in Golden Bay, not Auckland, but it shows the difference when they're under the canopy VS exposed

Those are beautiful! Thanks for posting.