Triangle Palm

Common Name: Triangle Palm

Botanical Name: Neodypsis decaryi

Trunk Type: Short, dark brown, with narrow, gray leaf scars; leaves radiate out in three planes.

Leaf Type: Pinnately compound, reduplicate, stiff, curved downward near tip; 100-200 pointed leaflets.

Fruit/Flowering: Yellow flower; 1" long yellow fruit.

Mature Size: 25 feet

Culture: The triangle palm is one of the most unique of all landscape palms in appearance, due to the very precise three-planed arrangement of the leaves. Though a true crownshaft is not formed, the tightly overlapping and bulging leaf bases form a stocky triangle above the short trunk. The leaf bases are covered with reddish brown hairs that easily rub off. Long reins frequently hang down from the blue-green leaves. The stiff, planar canopy of triangle palms results in a very bold and formal appearance that dominates the area of the landscape it inhabits. Consequently, its placement should be carefully considered. Though drought tolerant in humid sub-tropical and tropical zones once established, triangle palm requires periodic irrigation as it settles into place. In dry summer regions such as California, irrigation is essential. The planting site should be well-drained, and regular fertilization is a must on poor, infertile soils. The leaves are damaged at temperatures below freezing, and older specimens may require two years or more to renew a full canopy after a severe freeze.