Chambeyronia macrocarpa Brongniart, Viellard ex Beccari

Common name(s): Red Leaf Palm, Flame Thrower Palm

Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) Synonym(s): Kentiopsis macrocarpa Brongn., Cyphokentia macrocarpa Brongn. Auct., Kentia macrocarpa Viell. ex Brongn., Kentia lindenii Linden ex Andre', Kentia rubricaulis Linden ex Salomon

Plant

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Bark

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Frond

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Pinna

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Fruit

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Palm / Palm Ally Properties

Origin(s)

New Caledonia

New Cal.: Indigenous

Plant Type

Frond Self Cleaning, Palm Feather-leaved, Solitary

Frond Self Cleaning,

Palm Feather-leaved,

Solitary

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Tropical-Sub, Tropical, Tropical Monsoon

Tropical-Sub,

Tropical,

Tropical Monsoon

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical, Rainforest - Monsoonal

Rainforest - Sub-tropical,

Rainforest - Tropical,

Rainforest - Monsoonal

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Hill Sides, Landscape, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Ridges, Rocky, Understory, Well drained

Garden,

Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,

Heavy soils,

Hill Sides,

Landscape,

Moist areas,

Moist Slopes,

Ridges,

Rocky,

Understory,

Well drained

Mature Height

6-7m, 7-8m

6-7m,

7-8m

Mature Width

4-5m

Growth Rate

Slow

Plant Shape

Standard Crown - Open

Life Span

30-50yrs

Frond Properties

Frond Colour(s) (front)

Green Dark, Red

Green Dark,

Red

Frond Colour(s) (back)

Green Dark, Red

Green Dark,

Red

Frond Texture (front)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Glossy

Frond Texture (back)

Glabrous

Leathery

Glabrous,

Leathery

Frond Length

2.75-3m

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Shapes

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Recurved

Pinnate / Imparapinnate,

Recurved

Frond Arrangement

Stemmed Open Crown

Whorled

Stemmed Open Crown,

Whorled

Frond Attachment

Complete Sheaf

Petiolate

Complete Sheaf,

Petiolate

Pinna Shape(s) (Frondlet)

Acicular

Pinna Length (Frondlet)

850-900mm

Pinna Width (Frondlet)

80-90mm, 90-100mm

80-90mm,

90-100mm

Pinnae Arrangement

Even Pinnae

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Entire

Acute Narrowly,

Entire

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Attenuate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Entire

Pinnule Cross Section(s) (Leaflet)

Flat

Induplicate

Flat,

Induplicate

Petiole Texture

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Properties

Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)

Green-grey, Grey-green

Green-grey,

Grey-green

Colour(s) (Base)

Green-grey, Grey Light

Green-grey,

Grey Light

Texture (Upper)

Smooth

Texture (Base)

Smooth

Cross Section

Terete

Diameter

175-200mm

Length

2.5-3m, 3-3.5m, 3.5-4m

2.5-3m,

3-3.5m,

3.5-4m

Features

Distinct Growth Rings, Smooth Trunk

Construction

Pith Continuous

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Male

Colour(s)

Green Light, White

Green Light,

White

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar

Pannicle

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar,

Pannicle

Pendulous

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects

Bees,

Insects

Male and Female Flowers Borne

On Same Flower Head

Gender: Female

Colour(s)

Green Light, White

Green Light,

White

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar

Pannicle

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar,

Pannicle

Pendulous

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Drupe

Shape(s)

Ellipsoid

Outer Colour(s)

Red

Outer Texture

Smooth

Length

30-40mm, 40-50mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Aroma

None

Seed Properties

Type

Nut

Seed Dispersal

Animals, Birds

Animals,

Birds

Root Properties

Type

Surface Adventitious Root

Texture

Coarse , Cord-like , Pliable

Coarse,

Cord-like,

Pliable

Colour(s)

Brown Light, Grey-brown

Brown Light,

Grey-brown

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Shaley, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Shaley,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral

Condition(s)

Fertile , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Poor

Bird Attraction

Fruit

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Very Low

Wood Density

Low < 600kg/c.m.

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Smog Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

Moderate

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Pests/Diseases

Mealy Bug, Scale, White Fly

Mealy Bug,

Scale,

White Fly

Special Purpose(s)

Garden-Container, Foliage-Interesting, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Interesting Trunk, Litter Issue - Fruit, Litter Issue - Leaves, Pond Edge, Pool Side, Shade Tolerant, Shade tree-Light, Shady Moist, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Cockatoo's, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Parrot's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Garden-Container,

Foliage-Interesting,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Foliage,

Garden-Rainforest,

Garden-Tropical,

Interesting Trunk,

Litter Issue - Fruit,

Litter Issue - Leaves,

Pond Edge,

Pool Side,

Shade Tolerant,

Shade tree-Light,

Shady Moist,

Specimen,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Cockatoo's,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Parrot's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Propagation

Fresh Seed

General Notes

A vert attractive easy to grow palm for tropical and warmer regions and a beautiful indoor palm for cooler climates with bright red new leaves that stay that way for 10 - 14 days. The palm only holds 8 - 10 fronds at a time. The national tree for New Caledonia, this palm dates back to the Mesozoic Era when dinosaurs roamed the world and will tolerate temperatures down to 25^oC.

Propagation Notes

Fresh Seed

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Material Preparation

The seed takes 6 - 9 mths to ripen. Pick the fruit when it is very red, off the tree or from off the ground. Peel off the outer flesh or if too hard, soak the seeds in warm water for 48 - 72 hours to loosen the outer flesh. Change the water daily. Discard any seeds that float to the top, keep the ones that sink. Floating seeds won't germinate as they lack an endosperm. Wash the seeds thoroughly with Solvol soap to remove any remaining pulp. Allow to dry. Store in a cool, dark place. It is best to sow the seed as soon as possible for best results.

Viability:- 6 - 12 months

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow fresh seed into P2 or Forestry tubes and cover with mix, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in hothouse on 21°C heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 1 - 3 months 4 – 6 months before first frond opens

Pricking out:- N. A.

140mm Pot Mix:- Premium Potting Soil