SCIENTIFIC NAME: Carpenteria acuminata

COMMON NAME(S): Carpentaria palm
SUB FAMILY: Arecoideae
TRIBE: Areceae
ORIGIN: Australia
HARDINESS ZONES: 10B-11 (no problem at 30 degrees F), (thought to be hardy to 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 40'
GROWTH RATE: Fast
HABIT: Solitary; canopy of 10-12 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Low
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: High
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree
HUMAN HAZARDS: Irritant
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS:

COMMENTS: This rainforest palm from northern Australia elicited great excitement when it was first widely introduced into the Florida nursery trade. Fast growing palms are always welcomed by nursery growers, but some of the problems associated with Carpentaria have dampened this enthusiasm. The water demands of this palm are considered by some to be out of step with current trends toward water conservative landscaping. Thrips can disfigure the leaves. The palm is considerably cold tender, especially when young, and severe damage or complete loss usually follows a freeze. Despite these caveats, Carpentaria is favored for its elegant form and fast growth rate. It adapts well to turf-oriented landscape irrigation, and large specimens are relatively inexpensive (except in the first year or two after a severe freeze!). It looks best when planted in closely-spaced groups of three or more. Carpentaria is reportedly short-lived, with an ultimate lifespan not much beyond 40 years. There is only one species in the genus, which is considered closely related to Veitchia.