Pseudophoenix vinifera: P. lediniana – Plant

Description

Pseudophoenix is a genus of palms which is native to the wider Caribbean. Three species of the four species are endemic to Hispaniola, while the fourth, P. sargentii, is widely distributed in the northern Caribbean (Greater Antilles, Windward Islands, Bahamas), Florida, and the Yucatán Peninsula (Belize and southeastern Mexico).

Trees in this genus are medium to large palms with single, unclustered trunks. They lack spines and have pinnately compound leaves. Flowers are green and bisexual; the ripe fruit are red.

Culture

Sunny, well drained position. Drought tolerant. Very slow growing. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

“My experience over several years has been that P. vinifera is only slightly less cold hardy than P. sargentii. This winter season, I had a very unusual cold blast for 4 nights in a row (26 F,25 F,25 F,and 28 F were the minimum temps.) Over a dozen P. sargentii planted around the yard were totally unprotected and received little to no damage. A 10 ft overall P.vinifera in the middle of the yard (unprotected) took 50% freeze burn but has already pushed 1 inch of new spear over the last 3 weeks.A smaller 6 ft overall P.vinifera close to the house only took 10% burn and has also pushed a new inch of spear. I live in a desert with humidity often only 5 – 10% and don’t remember seeing frost on any plants,although cars and the roofs of houses will get frost a few times each year. In my opinion,they are pretty darn hardy as other palms around the yard like triangles,foxtails,and cuban royals were completely defoliated!” (Scott (aztropic))

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: In the past, this species was much exploited for the sweet sap that was fermented into “wine” (hence the epithet “vinifera”). The palm is still occasionally used for this purpose, but past exploitation has so diminished populations that the practice seems to have diminished as well. Pseudophoenix vinifera makes a striking ornamental palm and is occasionally cultivated by collectors and botanic gardens. (S. Zona. 2002)/Palmweb.

“P.vinifera tends to be a very upright palm, until it develops some trunk. Although similar to P. sargentii in looks, as a mature tree its dimensions tend to be larger overall; including the size of the red cherry-like fruits.” (Scott (aztropic)

Two dozen palms remain in grove where there were several hundred when re-discovered forty years ago.

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