Bismarkia Palm - Bismarckia nobilis (biz-mark-e-ah no-bil-is)
CHARACTERISTICS:
Typical Height: 30' - 60' fully grown, can get to 20 feet wide or more!
Growth Rate: Slow. Can grow at a medium pace after the first several years, only to slow again once maturity is near.
Origin: Madagascar
Salt Tolerance: Moderate tolerance to direct salt water contact of the root system, High tolerance to salt spray.
Drought Tolerance: High once established.
Soil Requirements: Widely adaptable, although prefers some organic material.
Light Requirements: Moderate - High.
Nutritional Requirements: Moderate. Occasional fertilizing will be a benefit to the growth and over all health of the palm.
Uses: Specimen Palm. Large growth restricts this palm to areas where it is allowed to cover large areas until an age where the crown is above head height. Extremely beautiful is accented by night lighting.
Propagation: Seed - germinates in about 2 months.
Human Hazards: None.
Major Pest Problems: None.
Major Disease or Physiological Problems: None.
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:
Habit: Solitary, Massive, canopy of 20 - 30 leaves., greenish in color when juvenile, maturing into silver.
Trunk Characteristics: Swollen at the base. Gray. Can attain quite a large circumfrence.
Leaf Type: Costa-Palmate, induplicate, stiff and upright. (Large, stiff, fan type).
Foliage Color: Grayish - Blue (Silver). Waxy.
Leaf Size: Up to 10' in diameter!
Crownshaft: None.
Inflorescence: 4' long, branched.
Gender: Seperate Male and Female plants.
Fruit Size: 1.5"
Fruit Color: Brown.
Irritant: No.
COMMENTS:
Bismarkia is one of the most beautiful and desirable palms. It gives a very bold, formal appearance when used properly. A moderate fertilizer program will ensure the prevention of nutrient deficiencies. Can reach a spread of 20' or more, requires a large area. Do NOT plant close to a house (as is often done in Nassau by 'professional landscapers' no doubt!). Should avoid being used in small areas, may make a small house look even smaller! Does not transplant easily. Slow initial growth makes this palm one of the more costly to purchase.
OUR RATING:
9 out of 10
SIZES AVAILABLE:
3 gallon (10" pot size), 3' - 4' o.a. (over-all), single (plant per pot).
