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Chamaedorea radicalis is a rugged but charming dwarf palm that deserves to be famous. This pretty little palm is usually seen without a trunk. Although a slow grower this palm will produce, after many years, a short trunk covered with old leaf attachments. Radicalis palm grows from 3 - 4 ft (0.9 - 1.2 m) in height. If planted closely together in clusters they grow even taller as the leaves support one another producing a more erect form. When given the space, radicalis palm sprawls as its pinnate (feather) leaves relax into its more typical loosely open arrangement. Each plant has about 6-8 leaves that are about 3 ft (0.9 m) long with a short smooth petiole (leaf stem), that is 10 - 12 in (25 - 30 cm) in length. About 30 to 40 glossy, deep green leaflets are held in a flat plane along both sides of the leaf stem. These are about 10 - 14 in (25 - 36 cm) long and 0.5 - 0.75 in (1.3 - 1.9 cm) wide and droop gracefully toward the ground. The male and female flowers are tiny and borne on separate plants like all of the species of Chamaedorea. They are held on 4 - 5 ft (1.2 - 1.5 m) singly branched inflorescences that reach above the leaves. This species blooms when quite young and it is not unusual to see palms already bearing seeds when only half their mature size! The female plants are particularly showy when adorned in their bright scarlet fruits. These are approximately 0.4 in in diameter and, also like many other members of this genus, may cause skin irritation due to the presence of corrosive oxalic acid (don't grow these where children can reach the temptingly colored seeds).
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Although the graceful little radicalis palm appears dainty and frail it has proven itself to be a tough survivor. In my garden they have endure freezes, drought, neglect and the occasional rudeness of a dog pee shower. I purchased my first trio of radicalis palm seedlings over a decade ago and within a few years was harvesting seeds from these plants (albeit in much smaller quantities than is produced by more mature plants). It's impossible to have too many of these little beauties so I'm happy to have a second generation already several years old and look forward to planting more of these radically pretty radicalis palms next year. Radicalis palm is a close cousin of the hardy bamboo palm (Chamadorea microspadix) which is taller, has multple stems and non-glossy, lighter green leaves. Both are perfect for Zone 8B gardeners who are looking for durable, low maintenance and interestingly attractive items to grow in the shade. Those gardening in Zone 9 and warmer have even a greater selection of Chamadorea species to enjoy like the blue metal palm (C. metallica) and that familiar houseplant, the bamboo palm (C. seifrizii). Jack Scheper 1/14/03, 5/7/03, 8/31/03, 2/26/06
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