SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dypsis lastelliana

COMMON NAME(S): Teddy bear palm, Redneck palm
SUB FAMILY: Arecoideae
TRIBE: Areceae
ORIGIN: Madagascar
HARDINESS ZONES: 10B-11
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 30'
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Solitary; canopy of 30-50 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: High (once established)
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: High
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree
HUMAN HAZARDS: None
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: Var. darianii: named for the California collector Mardy Darian, has very well developed crownshaft 'fur.'

COMMENTS: Formerly known as Chrysalidocarpus lastelliana, this relative of the triangle palm has been grown successfully in southern California and Hawaii. In South Florida, it performs best in a sheltered location in part shade. It rarely looks best in full sun and suffers where exposed to drying winds. The crownshaft of leaf bases is attractively covered with rust-red hairs. As the palms age, if older bases are pulled away, a waxy underlay of white to bluish-white marks the younger ring scars. The canopy of redneck palm is bright green and spreading; the leaflets stand at right angles from the rachis.