Family: Arecaceae
Common Name: Bamboo Palm, Parlour Palm

One of the largest genera of palms, Chamaedorea is possibly the most widely cultivated too. Most of the species are rainforest plants which grow as understorey plants, and are characterized by their small size and slender stems. Many are native to Mexico and Central America, and some to the northern parts of South America. There is a great range in stem and leaf size. Some are single-stemmed; others form clumps, sometimes comprising hundreds of stems. In most the stems are attractively ringed like bamboo, with the intervals between rings smooth and dark green. In a few species the leaves are undivided, with only a V-shaped notch at the leaf apex. The flowers are dioecious and are borne on stalked inflorescences with relatively few, short, flower-bearing branches. On female plants, the small, fleshy, yellow flowers are sometimes followed by smooth black or red fruits. Inflorescence branches generally become fleshy and brightly coloured (yellow-orange or red) as the fruits form. Nearly all of the species make excellent indoor or outdoor subjects. They adapt well to indoor conditions and blend happily with ferns and other foliage plants outdoors in frost-free locations. Some of the larger, clumping species can tolerate sun and are perfect for massed effects in landscaping.

Species

C. costaricana, bamboo palm, from Costa Rica, has a densely clumping habit and grows 2.5-4 m (8-13 ft) tall. The stems have a diameter of 1.5-2.5 cm (¾-1 in) and the generally rather pale green leaves are 60-80 cm (24-32 in) long with up to 40 segments of medium width. The inflorescences emerge from sheaths of pendent leaves and grow to 80 cm (32 in) long. They have relatively long, flowering branches which turn deep coral-red when fruiting. The shiny, round fruits ripen to black. This species can tolerate a small amount of direct sun without harm to its appearance.

C. elegans, parlour palm, from Mexico and Guatemala, is the most popular species, many being sold as indoor plants. It grows generally 30-100 cm (12-36 in) tall, but can reach 2 m (6 ft) with age. The closely ringed single sterns are 1-2 cm (1/3-3/4 in) in diameter. The somewhat crowded leaves grow 20-40 cm (8-16 in) long, with 12 to 16 narrow, deep green segments either side of the midrib. The inflorescences produce small, round, orange-red fruits which ripen to black.

C. erumpens, bamboo palm, from Guetemala and Honduras, is similar to C. costaricana but has shorter leaves with very few leaflets, often with a very broad pair of fused terminal leaflets. The much shorter inflorescences tend to burst through the leaf sheaths.

C. microspadix, bamboo palm, is an undemanding clustering palm which can be grown indoors or in a shady part of the garden. It rarely exceeds 3 m (10 ft) in height, with its bamboo-like ringed stems topped with dark green foliage. It is very attractive in fruit which is borne in great quantities. The bright orange fruit ripens to deep red. It is quick to germinate and easy to grow.

Cultivation

These palms are easy to grow as indoor plants and can thrive for years in the one container if the conditions are appropriate, as they are not worried by being root bound. The clump-forming species will generally require larger containers. Keep out of direct sunlight as this will cause burning or yellowing of the leaves. If planted outdoors they need shade, a well-drained, friable, acid soil and a cool root run. Plants of both sexes are needed if fruit production is required and it is recommended that the female flowers be hand pollinated, using a small watercolour brush, though this is not essential. Propagate from seed which will germinate in six to eight weeks under warm conditions. The seedlings of most species grow rapidly. The clump-forming species can be propagated by division. Use largish divisions with plenty of roots, otherwise re-establishment may be slow.

Climate

Zone 10.