SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chamaedorea seifrizii

COMMON NAME(S): Bamboo palm, Reed palm
SUB FAMILY: Ceroxyloideae
TRIBE: Hyophorbeae
ORIGIN: Mexico and northern Central America
HARDINESS ZONES: 10B-11 (damaged but recovered at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 7' (but can achieve 12')
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Clustering densely, each stem bearing 6-9 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Moderate
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Low; moderate
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Shrub; screen; specimen plant; foliage plant
HUMAN HAZARDS: Fruit mildly irritating
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: 'Florida Hybrid': a hybrid between C. seifrizii and C. erumpens.

COMMENTS: One of the most popular Chamaedorea species, C. siefrizii has less coarse foliage than C. erumpens which it somewhat resembles. It eventually forms fairly dense clumps of very erect stems with an overall aspect of bamboo. The canopy of leaves is open, and concentrated in the upper half of the stem. Reed palm is relatively sun-tolerant, but is most at home in shady locations, especially in hot climates. Most nurseries grow this palm in full sun for the first year or two of production to stimulate cluster development before moving them under shade. It is also tolerant of less fertile soils than many other Chamaedorea species.