#967 Veitchia merrillii Common Names: Christmas palm, Manila palm, adonidia Family: Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family) Get link to this Profile or click for Datasheet

Highly adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions, this Christmas palm graces the narrow strip between the sidewalk and street doing its part to make Coral Gables, Florida one of the prettiest towns in the country.

From the point at which the crownshaft attaches to the trunk emerge 2 ft (0.6 m) long inflorescences (flower stalk) which support small grayish-green flowers. By autumn these have been replaced by green fruits 1 in (3 cm) long and half as wide. By late fall most of the green fruits are beginning to ripen and by late December are bright and brilliant red - like ornaments on a Christmas palm!

Location
Christmas palm is native to the Philippines. It is a popular landscaping item in the capital city, a fact which inspires another popular name, the Manila palm.

Culture
This palm is easy going in its requirements and will grow in most soils except those that are constantly soggy. Christmas palm is moderately salt tolerant.
Light: Prefers full sun but will take some shade.
Moisture: This palm appreciates regular waterings but will tolerate periods of drought if not prolonged.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10 - 12
Propagation: Fresh seeds germinate quickly within 1 to 3 months.

The Christmas palm decks itself out in shiny red fruits just in time for the holidays. If you see some laying about, pick up a few and plant them. They are fun and easy to germinate and the seedlings are attractive.

Features
For many years the scientific name of the Christmas palm was Adonidia merrillii and you may still see it referred to as that in older publications. That name is no longer correct and is now a synonym but the name adonidia is an often used common name for this palm. Adonidia comes from Adonis, the handsome sun god of the ancient Romans. From a poetic point of view it's a shame that Christmas palm had to give up a cool genus name for the harsh sounding Veitchia - sometimes I just wish the botanists would just let these names alone!

WARNING
Before you plant Christmas palm in the landscape check with your local agricultural extension (click here for Florida offices) unit to see if the disease lethal yellowing is present in your area. This palm is very susceptible to this fatal disease for which there is no effective treatment.

Jack Scheper 12/26/02; updated 10/16/03

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