Chamaerops humilis var. cerifera - blue dwarf palm (Forestry palm)

Genus of a species of bushy palm native to the western Mediterranean regions. Chamaerops humilis var. Cerifera grows spontaneously up to 1700 m. Altitude in the mountains of Morocco and is a small evergreen palm, very bushy which in nature rarely exceeds 2 m in height. Small stem covered with fibrous material and brown tending towards reddish in colour. The large, robust leaves open like a fan and are supported by long, spiny petioles that cluster at the top of the plant. The flowers are grouped in a very short and branched dark yellow panicle inflorescence. The fruits are small dates gathered in clusters, first yellow then orange when ripe. The main characteristic of this variety consists in the color of the leaves which have blue-silvery shades.

Pedoclimatic needs

It adapts to all types of soil, preferring well-drained ones, but also tolerates stony and dry soils. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Moderately rustic plant but less resistant than Chamaerops humilis var. Cerifera is less rustic than the type species and resists minimum temperatures reaching -5°/-7°c for short periods even if the young plants are more sensitive to the cold. It adapts to being grown both in large pots and in the ground.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Chamaerops humilis var. Cerifera sin chamaerops humilis var. Silvery

Family: Arecaceae