RAVENEA XEROPHILA UNBELIEVABLY RARE MADAGASCAR XEROPHYTIC PALM

This endangered species of arid palm comes from Southern Madagascar in the “Spiny Forest” part of the country, where it grows at high elevation among the likes of cactus and other xerophytic species. It prefers hot sun and can tolerate drought. Natural habitat is from 1000 to 2500 feet, the trunk height is fifteen to twenty five feet with a diameter of one foot, and the trunk is covered with old leaf bases. The leaves are rather short, up to six feet, curved downward and gray or gray-green in color. A surprising characteristic of this species is found by anyone who has germinated seeds. On germination, a huge radicle is produced. It resembles a cycad more than a palm. It is like a huge carrot attached to the seed. This root and subsequent roots are good size and very long, showing how this species adaptation to search for deep water in its natural habitat. I am suspicious that these roots may also retain water for emergency purposes. This species does tolerate drought but responds to watering. It is extremely slow growing. Expect a mature height of twenty feet and a cold tolerance of at lest 25 degrees F.

Shown below are containerized five gallon plants of Ravenea xerophila. This species is very, very slow growing. Everyone who grows this species comments that 1) it is very slow and 2) it is typically blue, or a blue-green in color. These may well be the last of this species offered in the United States. No seeds are coming any more from Madagascar and no one has set seeds domestically. We only have two available.

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