Bought this as Chamaedorea CostaRicana last year as a small 1g. It’s going through its second summer and has been a pretty fast grower. It came from Redland Nursery in Homestead, where there is a lot of open pollination and many species of Chamaedorea in close proximity. Keep hearing that CostaRicana hates Florida, but this guy seems happy. Can anyone verify that is indeed what it is? Also should note it went through 24f with 30-40mph winds in February and was unscathed.

For sure it ain't costaricana, because it lacks the auricles at the leaf base of new fronds.

Looks near identical to my C. radicalis. I assume those were just two separate seedlings grown together.

1 hour ago, thyerr01 said:

Looks near identical to my C. radicalis. I assume those were just two separate seedlings grown together.

I have Radicalis (non trunking form) planted beside it. Is healthy, but has not grown much over 3 years. The leaflets look similar, but this palm has more relaxed and thin leaflets

@RiverCityRichard I have 20+ C. radicalis I grew from seed from non-trunking parents and another couple I purchased that might have a little C. oreophila mixed in. They vary a bit in how stout they are at the base and how delicate the leaflets are despite all growing in roughly the same conditions. These appear to be growing more of a trunk than mine, but otherwise fall within the variation I see. If others have different thoughts, I'm curious to know as that is impressive cold hardiness and would be viable for my climate here.

I agree with radicalis, looks a lot like it, and surviving those temps unscathed probably rules out pretty much any other Chamaedorea than maybe microspadix??

Chamaedorea graminifolia?

Agree with C radicalis. Looks typical in every way to me including the inflorescence.

Looks just like the C. Radicalis I have growing around my garden. Some have very relaxed leaflets , others vary a bit . All of mine end up as tree form. Harry

This is more upright

This pair has more of a relaxed leaflets habit

Growing up through a neighboring Pritchardia

These are all on the shady section of the garden . I also have some in full sun. Very cool hardy and sun tolerant .

I appreciate the expertise everyone. Pretty solid on Chamaedorea Radicalis seeing all of the responses. Fingers crossed I can keep the nematodes at bay here. Thank you!

It certainly looks like a Chamaedorea to me, and the growth habit seems pretty consistent with C. costaricana. The clustering stems and arching fronds are a good sign. That said, with open pollination at Redland, there's always a chance it's a hybrid or has some mixed genetics. Whatever it is, it looks healthy and clearly isn't reading the reports that costaricana hates Florida! If it's been growing well for two summers, I'd just keep doing what you're doing.

You could try uploading clear photos to the Palm Tree Identifier at https://botanapp.com/identifier/palms to put your doubts to rest.

Almost 100% it’s not C. costaricana. Neither the fronds nor the main stem resemble that species. I don’t think it would have been completely unscathed by 24°F with high winds either. Those you have are very consistent with C. radicalis tree form however and I’d be willing to bet that’s what they are. They are very cold hardy.

1 hour ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Almost 100% it’s not C. costaricana. Neither the fronds nor the main stem resemble that species. I don’t think it would have been completely unscathed by 24°F with high winds either. Those you have are very consistent with C. radicalis tree form however and I’d be willing to bet that’s what they are. They are very cold hardy.

I’ll go as far as to say I’m 100% certain it’s not C costaricana. 99% sure on C radicalis.

Please don’t use plant ID apps to check! They have some limited use for common plants but for 99% of palm species, they’ll have no hope.

21 hours ago, tim_brissy_13 said:

I’ll go as far as to say I’m 100% certain it’s not C costaricana. 99% sure on C radicalis.

Please don’t use plant ID apps to check! They have some limited use for common plants but for 99% of palm species, they’ll have no hope.

The nursery I bought it from probably has 15 chamaedorea species growing in one shade house. A lot of hybridization, and the employees aren’t all knowledgeable. Cool place, but you do get some mystery palms

22 hours ago, Jim in Los Altos said:

Almost 100% it’s not C. costaricana. Neither the fronds nor the main stem resemble that species. I don’t think it would have been completely unscathed by 24°F with high winds either. Those you have are very consistent with C. radicalis tree form however and I’d be willing to bet that’s what they are. They are very cold hardy.

Absolutely believe you are right. C Ernesti Augustii was outright killed next to it, and C Cataractarum was 90% defoliated. Must be the added organic material in the Florida sugar sand keeping the nematodes at bay.