ARCHONTOPHOENIX PURPUREA THE PURPLE CROWN SHAFT KING PALM

The native home of Archontophoenix purpurea is the Mt. Lewis mountain range in Queensland, Australia. This species is known for the purple color to the crown shaft. It is found at an elevation up to 4000 feet. Mature height is quoted to be over fifty feet, but in habitat and culture I didn’t see one this tall. For types of King Palms, this species is stated to have the thickest trunk. I don’t think I agree with this and feel A. maxima is thicker. Most I’ve seen have a trunk diameter of twelve inches or somewhat more.

Cold hardiness is about 25 degrees F. It takes full coastal sun. The degree of purple in the crown shaft is variable but never “lollipop” purple. The underside of the leaves is silver and there is ramenta hairs only on this side. On younger plants the leaf bases and leaf stem tend to have a yellow color. I’m showing our 15g size which we’re putting on a Ten Day Special. This size is shown in the first two rows of photos. You’ll note that the crown shaft is beginning to pick up the purple color. We also have other sizes of this species for sale.

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