Chamaedorea seifrizii

Common names

Bamboo Palm (this name is also often given to C. seifritzii, although they can be easily differentiated by fruit colour, black in C. seifritzii and bright red in C. microspadix).

Curiosities

Named “seifrizii” after William Seifriz, who found this species among some Maya ruins and gave the samples to Burret.

Origin

Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras.

Habitat

Dense rainforests, often on limestone soil.

Morphology

An elegant clumping palm, 3-4 m tall, with slender stems like bamboo canes. Four to 5 leaves per stem. Infrafoliar inflorescences, 50-60 cm long, branched, orange red in colour. Small round fruits, black when ripe.

Climate

This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –3.9ºC (25.1ºF, USDA Zone 9b).

Germination

Can be propagated by seeds, which germinate fast, or vegetatively, by dividing suckers.

Growing

Requires a fertile soil, rich in organic mater, and regular water. Prefers shade or partial shade to full sun. Can cope with short frosts down to -2°C. Easily hybridises with other species of its genus.