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(Rhopalostylis sapida)
Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)
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Christopher Stephens
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Christopher Stephens
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Christopher Stephens | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Christopher Stephens | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-03-18T13:33:32-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Rhopalostylis sapida, commonly known as the Nikau Palm, is a palm endemic to New Zealand, including the Chatham Islands. It is the southernmost palm species in the world. Nikau Palms grow up to 15 meters tall, with a stout, green trunk that bears distinctive grey-green leaf scars. The leaves are pinnate, up to 3 meters long, and arch elegantly from the top of the trunk. The inflorescence is multibranched, from 200 to 400 mm long, with tightly packed unisexual flowers that are lilac to pink in color. Flowering occurs from November to April, and the fruit, which ripens from February to November, is a preferred food of the kererū, a native pigeon.
Nikau Palms are valued for their striking form and foliage, making them excellent as potted plants or as focal points in subtropical gardens. They are quite hardy and slow-growing, which can be an advantage in landscape design. They require deep pots for their taproot when grown in containers, and care should be taken to avoid root damage during transplanting. In their natural habitat, Nikau Palms are found in coastal and lowland forests where they enjoy cool temperatures and are protected from frost. They can tolerate light frost but are vulnerable to sudden temperature drops. For cultivation, they prefer full sun to part shade, consistent moisture, and well-draining soil. They are not known for being invasive or having significant disease problems, but they can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Nikau Palms are valued for their striking form and foliage, making them excellent as potted plants or as focal points in subtropical gardens. They are quite hardy and slow-growing, which can be an advantage in landscape design. They require deep pots for their taproot when grown in containers, and care should be taken to avoid root damage during transplanting. In their natural habitat, Nikau Palms are found in coastal and lowland forests where they enjoy cool temperatures and are protected from frost. They can tolerate light frost but are vulnerable to sudden temperature drops. For cultivation, they prefer full sun to part shade, consistent moisture, and well-draining soil. They are not known for being invasive or having significant disease problems, but they can suffer from root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly draining soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, Purple
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium, High
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Coastal and lowland forests in New Zealand and the Chatham Islands
Other Names
Common Names: Nikau Palm, Nikaupalme
Scientific Names: , Rhopalostylis sapida, Areca sapida, Areca banksii, Eora sapida, Kentia sapida,
GBIF Accepted Name: Rhopalostylis sapida (Sol. ex G.Forst.) H.Wendl. & Drude