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Chrysalidocarpus lutescens

Previously known as:

  • Chrysalidocarpus glaucescens
  • Dypsis lutescens
Phonetic Spelling
kris-sal-lid-oh-KAR-puss loo-TESS-enz
Description

Bamboo palm is a tropical perennial native to Madagascar in the palm family (Arecaceae) family. It can grow to 30 feet tall and 15 feet wide in its native habitat. The genus name refers to the fruits, which are ellipsoidal and resemble a chrysalis. Specific epithet means turning yellow in reference to the yellow flowers, stems and leaflet midribs.

This tropical plant is grown as a houseplant in temperate climates.  In the home, they prefer a bright location in a warm to average room and high humidity. They have multiple stems that arise from one base and large, arching, pinnately compound green fronds. Panicles of yellow flowers appear in the summer and are followed by yellow-orange fruits. One of several common names, "butterfly palm" refers to the leaves that curve upwards in multiple stems that look similar to a butterfly, or it may refer to the fruits that resemble a butterfly chrysalis. Bamboo palm refers to the stems.

Grow in well-drained potting soil and keep moist but not soggy during the growing season. Increase humidity by misting or a humidifier and provide bright indirect light. Repot every 2 or 3 years. They will rarely bloom or produce fruit as a house plant. Outdoors in zones 10-11, the plant tolerates full sun but prefers partial shade and moist but well-drained soils. It has been shown to reduce indoor air pollution and is one of the most popular indoor palms. The terminal bud (heart-of-palm) is toxic and contains cyanide compounds.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Clustering palms with thick, bamboo-like stems.
  • Pinnate leaves, with pinnae forming a V-shape along the rachis
  • Yellow-green petioles and leaf rachis

 Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is susceptible to scale, whiteflies and spider mites. Plants grown outdoors may be subject to phytoplasma disease of palms, which is spread by planthoppers and can cause severe yellowing

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#showy leaves#bright light#interiorscape#palm#large leaves#accent plant#screening#fan shaped#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#showy leaves#bright light#interiorscape#palm#large leaves#accent plant#screening#fan shaped#fantz#tropical palm#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chrysalidocarpus
    Species:
    lutescens
    Family:
    Arecaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Madagascar
    Wildlife Value:
    In its native habitat, some birds will eat the fruits
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Each fruit is approximately 0.5-1 inch long and egg-shaped. The fruit turns from yellow to dark purple or black as it matures.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    2 feet long panicles of small yellow flowers in summer hang below the leaves are not particularly showy.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    3-6 feet long pinnately compound yellow-green to dark green upward curving leaves with yellow midribs. There are 40-60 pairs of leaflets that are 2 feet long, lance-shaped, and create a distinct "V" as they grow in opposite directions from one another along the orange to light green rachis.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Bamboo-like stems, erect, clustered, smooth and ringed. 2-3 inches in diameter if grown outdoors. Smaller as a house plant.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Screen/Privacy
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity