dangerous palm - Dwarf Pygmy Palm Phoenix Roebelen

[kedigato]

I detest this palm. Although it is pretty to look at, it is dangerous when you try to cut the dead leaves off as there are 3-4 inch long thorns - like daggers! - at the base of each one. I got stabbed endless times last autumn when I was trying to tidy it up.

Does anyone know the name of this horror that is unfortunately in our front garden?





Oh, they always seem to grow as multi palms.

[kedigato]

I have now ID-ed it myself! It is a Dwarf Pygmy Palm Phoenix Roebelenii.

On the way here this morning, we stopped off at Walmart to get some computer paper and wandered through the garden section as well. Lo and behold! they had obviously just got a whole batch of the horrid things in.

I have just looked it up and here is a link, tells you all about them, barring the dagger thorns.


pygmypalm.com/

[DAG]

Would it be a reasonable proposition to put some discreet protection around it, must be a possible danger to children and animals as well. Just something in a near matching colour at low level?

[nazimundo]

It does look rather nice Kedi, but I think I would get someone in to do any work that needs done on it.

Alfie

[kedigato]

Nobody put any kind of fence around these palms, DAG. I guess people grow up with them and know to keep away, only silly people like me who want to get rid of the dead and brown leaves get stabbed. I have spoken to a couple of people and they said the same about the dagger thorns, but the palms do look pretty and dainty, so assume that is why you see so many in gardens. They are also a lot cheaper than other palms, too.

I have seen that the yard waste garbage men wear leather gloves and have pitch forks to pick up such things. So it is all taken as normal and part of life.

If it was up to me, I'd chop the damn thing down and put something nice in it's place, but Peter likes it.

[DAG]

I like it too, how could you chop it down kedi, really? ;D

[nazimundo]

Want to borrow my chainsaw Kedi ;D ;D ;D

Alfie

[kedigato]

Yes, please, Alfie.

[DAG]

I will pretend you never said that Alfie and kedi! ;D

[pete]

Kedi, I've spent the best part of 5yrs trying to grow one of these and it died on me this winter.

Dont despise it, its a great palm.

As you say the locals just accept them and steer clear.

Bit like we do with gorse and holly.

Thats a really nice specimen plant.

[kedigato]

Pete, sorry to hear that you lost yours. It would give me the greatest pleasure to be able to bundle mine up and send it to you. Just wish I was rid of it, there are so many nicer trees.

[kedigato]

This hated palm is in the process of producing no end of buds and since some of you seem to like it, I thought you might enjoy seeing how it is going overboard just to annoy me -

[DAG]

Well I really like it anyway and surely kedi it is only the lower part of the trunk that is spiky?

for sharing!

[kedigato]

The trunk isn't spikey at all, DAG. It is where the fronds grow out of the trunk, the base of the fronds have these incredibly long thorns. I must see if I can get some pics to show you exactly where and how they look.

[kedigato]

Well, my most-hated palm is now loaded with ripe fruit -