Chamaedorea
( kam - uh - DOOR - ee - uh )
Chamaedorea Species and Varietals
The genus Chamaedorea includes over 100 species, and is a member of the plant family Arecaceae.
Chamaedorea cataractarum (Cat Palm, Cascade Palm, Cataract Palm) These trees reach about 3.5 feet tall when grown indoors, and to about 6.5 feet oudoors, and produce slender green cane-like stems and leaves. These palms are clumping and stemless, and occasionally used as hedge plants. These palms require very bright light if grown indoors, and are heavy drinkers. |
Chamaedorea costaricana (Pacaya) Reaching 20 feet tall at maturity, these palms form clumps of foliage that can be dense or open. Foliage is light yellow-green to green, and these plants can tolerate full sun but prefer to have a bit of shade, growing in understory in their native environments. They are native to Central America. |
Chamaedorea elegans (Neanthe Bell Palm, Parlour Palm, Parlor Palm, Xate) This species is native to rainforest areas in Guatemala and Mexico. It is extensively sold as a houseplant around the world, and is a woody, rhizomatous plant with a green trunk. Leaves are pinnate and green, and flowers are yellow, orange, or red in color. These small palms can reach about 10-16 feet tall in their natural habitat, though when grown as houseplants usually top out between 2 and 6 feet tall. |
Quick Question: What exactly is 'Xate'?
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Chamaedorea ernesti-augusti (Ernest August's Palm, Fishtail Palm, Xate) This species of small palm tree is native to _____ and was first described in 1852 by German botanist and gardener Hermann Wendland. Leaves are bifid, meaning they are divided into two equal parts and medium green with yellow-green striping on the undersides. These palms reach about 6 feet tall. As houseplants, they can tolerate relatively little light, and do not struggle too much in dry-air conditions. Outdoors, these palms do well in shade. |
Chamaedorea metallica This plant is endemic to southern Mexico, and is a popularly cultivated houseplant in many areas around the world. Leaves are dark green and have a metallic sheen to them, hence the specific epithet 'metallica'. This is an understory palm species, and prefers low light (indoors) or shade conditions. |
Chamaedorea microspadix (Hardy Bamboo Palm) This species is native to eastern Mexico, and is able to survive occasional frosts down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, hence its common name. Its multiple stalks are jointed, reminiscent of bamboo. Outdoors, these plants prefer moist soil and indirect sunlight, commonly reaching 8-10 feet tall at maturity. Indoors, these plants will reach about 4-6 feet tall. Fruit is showy and red. |
Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo Palm, Parlor Palm, Reed Palm) This subtropical small palm reaches about 10-20 feet tall when grown outdoors, and is native to Mexico and Central America. It is grown as a hedge plant in tropical areas, and is known to escape garden cultivation. It is commonly grown as a houseplant, where it can reach about 6.5 feet tall. |
Chamaedorea tepejilote (Pacaya Palm) These fast-growing palms grow naturally in the understory vegetation in forested areas of southern Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. Immature male infloresences are edible, commonly consumed in salads or covered in egg batter and fried (Envueltos de Pacaya). |
Caring for Chamaedorea
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Aeschynanthus plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:
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Gallery
Videos
Learn about these interesting houseplants.
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An educational video about Cast-Iron Plant.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page
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