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Unusual Coloring Or Typical? Archontophoenix purpurea

Jim in Los Altos
Jim in Los Altos
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

Featured Replies

These three are my only Archontophoenix purpurea and I’m just wondering if the heavy black tomentum on their trunks is unusual or typical. Whichever it is, I like it. These were purchased as seedlings from Floribunda a few years ago. 
 

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Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

zone 10a/9b

sunset zone 16

300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

Las Palmas Design

Facebook Page

Las Palmas Design & Associates

Elegant Homes and Gardens

    • Like 15
    • Upvote 1

    Definitely not what I would say is unusual; all specimens I’ve seen have a degree of this black tomentum. But I would say yours Jim probably have the most dense covering I’ve seen at that size. Typically they’ll start to look more clean as they get taller. 
     

    My smaller one has a pretty good coverage but still only has a few rings of trunk. If you zoom in on this photo from last year you can see the first wide growth ring covered. My taller one now only has the 2 most recent growth rings covered. 

    IMG_1431_Original.jpeg

    Tim Brisbane

    Patterson Lakes, bayside Melbourne, Australia

    Rarely Frost

    2005 Minimum: 2.6C,  Maximum: 44C

    2005 Average: 17.2C, warmest on record.

    •
    • Like 6

    They would pay good money for a purp like that here! 

    • Like 1

    Updated up close photo. Decent coverage, but got nothing on Jim’s. 

    IMG_0718.jpeg

    Tim Brisbane

    Patterson Lakes, bayside Melbourne, Australia

    Rarely Frost

    2005 Minimum: 2.6C,  Maximum: 44C

    2005 Average: 17.2C, warmest on record.

    •
    • Like 7

    Sweet looking palm . You have a real winner there. Harry

    • Like 3

    Not seeing any black on mine.  Might be moss, mine is in enough sun the moss doesnt grow there but I have black moss on some deep shade palms.

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    Formerly in Gilbert AZ, zone 9a/9b. Now in Palmetto, Florida Zone 9b/10a??

     

    Tom Blank

    • Like 2

    Not unusual from what I've see on mine. The tomentum starts a red-brown color then turns black over time before it wears off. Nothing like Jims though.

    20260212_095959[1].jpg

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    • Like 4

    Whoa @Jim in Los Altos that’s freaky!

    Maybe call them Johnny Cash Palms?

    Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

    Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

    •
    • Like 3
    • Author
    1 hour ago, DoomsDave said:

    Whoa @Jim in Los Altos that’s freaky!

    Maybe call them Johnny Cash Palms?

    Johnny Cash palms. I like that, Dave! :) 
     

    IMG_4533.thumb.jpeg.c0910abe493e7f2ab93ab53bc47642cb.jpeg

    Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

    zone 10a/9b

    sunset zone 16

    300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

    Las Palmas Design

    Facebook Page

    Las Palmas Design & Associates

    Elegant Homes and Gardens

    • Like 3
    11 hours ago, DoomsDave said:

    Whoa @Jim in Los Altos that’s freaky!

    Maybe call them Johnny Cash Palms?

    Cool ….new name for my Black Bamboo, Johnny Cash Bamboo. Harry

    • Like 2
    On 2/11/2026 at 7:34 PM, Jim in Los Altos said:

    Johnny Cash palms. I like that, Dave! :) 
     

    IMG_4533.thumb.jpeg.c0910abe493e7f2ab93ab53bc47642cb.jpeg

    Damn! Gonna think about them while I’m waitin’ fer a train….

    Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

    Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

    •
    • Like 2

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