Family: Arecaceae
Common Name: Bottle Palm

This genus of slow-growing feather palms is almost extinct in its native Mascarene Islands, but two of the species have been fairly widely cultivated in tropical regions of the world. They are used for coastal planting as they tolerate salt-laden winds. They are unusual, having short, stout trunks and neat crowns of only a few arching leaves. The inflorescences are borne at various times of the year, the buds enveloped by pointed, green bracts.

Species

H. lagenicaulis, bottle palm, has a gray, swollen trunk, to 70 cm (28 in) in diame­ter, but total height rarely exceeds 3 m (10 ft). The crown has only a few leaves, up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long, with two regular rows of leaflets point­ing upwards. The dark fronds have a twist about half-way along their length.

H. verschafeltii, spindle palm, from Rodriguez, grows to 6 m (20 ft). The trunk, its middle diameter around 40 cm (28 in), tapers towards the top. The crown has five to ten leaves, up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long, with softer, less regularly placed leaflets.

Cultivation

In frost-prone climates, grow in a warm conservatory or greenhouse, in pots or tubs of soil-based potting compost. Provide maximum light, but shade from direct sun, and a humid atmosphere. Propagate from seed in spring, germinated at 27°C (81°F).

Climate

At least zone 10.