Wednesday 29 August 2012

How many types of trachycarpus? I say just a few....

After a beautiful day yesterday it has been constant rain today,struggling to reach 15 degrees.  The palms don't seem to mind and I took a brief respite in the deluge to snap some various Trachycarpus leaves.  I have many species with only two of any notable size.

  • fortunei (plus waggys)
  • princeps
  • manipur
  • oreophilus
  • takil
  • nanus
  • geminisectus
  • martianus
  • latisectus
  • nova
  • nova x princeps?

This first image is of a regular fortunei, the mongrel of the family.  It was bought as a half dead, battered plant found at the back of a garden centre.  It only had three leaves and I felt sorry for it.  Five years later and it looks half decent with a nice blue cast to the undersides of the new leaves.

 
This next image is of an oreophilus, mountain trachycarpus from Thailand.  Not really hardy in my location but I'm going to give it a good go.  Very fine leaflets.
 
 
This is a latisectus, apparently survived -10 in the UK but with some protection.  Broad leaflets and a lighter green leaf.
 
 
This is an emerging princeps leaf and in my opinion the most beautiful Trachycarpus known to man.  Again proved hardy in the UK to minus 10 and perhaps even lower with protection?
 
 
Here is geminisectus, a pretty rare type of trachycarpus with wide leaflets.  My specimens are only seedlings but already have wide leaflets and very, very green leaves!
 
 
Next is manipur which for me is a very slow grower!  Only one new leaf this year.  The leaves cover an area of less than 100 degrees (ish) and quite distinctive with long floppy leaflets.
 
 
Finally here is another fortunei but looks a bit like a nova with pale whitish  undersides to the newest leaves and a tapering trunk and long petioles.  This is the newest leaf, they quickly become very floppy and susceptible to wind damage.
 
 
 
Some would argue all the above are distinct species whilst others would argue they are all variations of a couple of real species:  distinct populations with defining characteristics but can produce viable young with other types (and hence the same species).    Whatever is the truth they are an interesting and vital group of plants for the hardy, exotic garden and I for one wouldn't be without them. 
 
 
 

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