Took a bit of time, but this little Fiji palm is looking rather elegant as of late. It was acquired as B. microcarpa, but it keys out as B. seemannii. I’ll have to look at the next seed batch more closely.

Any one else growing Balaka?

Tim

I'll be honest with you Tim, I've never heard of that genus. Every day is a school day. Some cracking specimens in those pictures.

Ditto, had never heard of it. I must say though that palms with slim trunks are the epitome of elegance! Seems like quite a few originate from the Pacific, like Veitchias.

Apparently, according to palmpedia, this species could survive in southern California, in protected spots.

The book palms of the Fiji islands Dick Watlingwith illustrations by George Bennett, have nice pictures of seeds, and all information leads to B seemannii. 

Johnathan, these are nifty little palms and I was going to mention the small paperback reference in Richard’s post above. It’s one of my favorite palm books on the shelf.

Than, I have to agree with you about palms with thin stemmed trunks with spreading crowns and the look they create. 

Richard, thanks for the book shout out. 

Tim

Here’s B seemannii at Singapore Botanic Hardens, photo taken last year. Like many others in the Prychospermatinae family they have those wide praemorse leaflets that just give off the tropical vibe. 
 

I took this pic of a friend Vai Nu'usa in western Samoa on the island of Upolo. I thought it was a different species, but Dr. Hodel said it was B. insularis. They were quite prolific there up by Stevenson's place on the mountain. in deep jungle