Calappa palm (Actinorhytis calapparia)
Description
Actinorhytis calapparia originates from Papua New Guinea and The Soloman Islands, where it grows in low to mid elevation rainforests. It is a tall, solitary palm to 15m/48' and eventually grows above the canopy of the rainforest into full sun. The slender, light grey trunk only reaches 200mm/8" in diameter and is prominently ringed with the scars of old leaf bases. Above the trunk it forms a 900 mm/3' long, pale green crownshaft, similar in diameter to the trunk. The open crown is formed by a relatively small number of 3m/10' long, heavily recurved, pinnate leaves, which are dark green with several, narrow leaflets up to 450 mm/18" in length. A monoceious palm, it forms cream flowers of both sexes, which produce large, 75 mm/3" ovoid fruit that ripen to red or reddish purple. This is a reasonably fast growing species, given plenty of nutrients and moisture and, although it will take light frosts, it will not tolerate sustained periods of cold and is generally regarded as only suitable for tropical and warmer subtropical areas. Whilst it will take full sun at maturity, smaller plants require plenty of shade and will become easily damaged by exposure to direct sunlight. In cooler areas it can only really be used in large indoor atriums with plenty of available light and humidity. a slender feather palm, oval red fruits to 6 cm (2.5"). Editing by edric.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Arecales
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Family: Arecaceae
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Genus: Actinorhytis
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