Family: Arecaceae
Common Name: Princess Palm, Hurricane Palm

Now rarely found in its natural habitat of Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands, this palm genus comprises only one species and is found in tropical and subtropical gardens. Can be grown outdoors in southern Florida but in the rest of the US it is grown in a warm greenhouse or conservatory.

Species

D. album, princess palm, is a graceful, slender palm which grows to 10 m (33 ft) or more. The pinnate leaves are 3-4 m (10-13 ft) long and the sharply pointed leaflets are evenly spaced along the midribs. The leaf bases form a crownshaft at the top of the slender, gray trunk which is closely marked with rings. The short-stalked inflorescences are enclosed by two deciduous bracts and the reddish yellow flow­ers, usually clustered in groups of three, are fol­lowed by small, egg-shaped truits which ripen to purple-black.

Cultivation

This palm makes a good pot or tub plant under glass when young. Grow in soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light (but shade from direct sun), and a humid atmosphere. Outdoors, it needs shelter from wind and sun or partial shade. It can be raised from seed sown in spring. Provide a tempera­ture of 30°C (86°F).

Climate

Zone 10.