Actinorhytis calapparia
Description
Actinorhytis calapparia, commonly known as the Calappa Palm or Solitaire Palm, is a striking, solitary-trunk palm known for its elegant appearance and tall stature. It features a slender, smooth trunk topped with a crown of large, arching fronds, creating a majestic and tropical look.
Flowers
The Calappa Palm produces small, creamy-white to yellowish flowers that grow in large, branched inflorescences. These appear below the crownshaft and are followed by clusters of brightly colored fruits.
Foliage
The leaves are pinnate and gracefully arching, with numerous leaflets arranged along the length of the frond. Each frond can reach up to 3-4 meters in length, creating a lush, tropical canopy. The leaflets are green, slender, and pointed, giving the foliage a delicate and airy appearance.
Fruit
The fruit of Actinorhytis calapparia is an oval, bright red drupe that measures about 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruit adds ornamental value when it appears in clusters beneath the canopy.
Form and Size
The Calappa Palm typically grows to a height of 12-20 meters with a spread of 3-4 meters. It has a slender, smooth, gray trunk that is topped with a crown of 8-12 arching fronds. The trunk is marked by ringed leaf scars, adding to its ornamental appeal.
Growing Conditions
- Soil: Prefers well-drained, rich, organic soil. It can tolerate a range of soil types but thrives in moist, loamy conditions.
- Sunlight: Grows best in full sun to partial shade. It requires protection from direct, harsh sunlight when young.
- Water: Requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. It benefits from higher humidity levels.
- Climate: Suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is frost-sensitive and should be protected from cold temperatures and strong winds.
Uses
- Landscaping: Ideal for tropical-themed gardens, as a specimen tree, or in group plantings. It is also suitable for large containers in patios and poolside areas.
- Ornamental: The tall, slender trunk and graceful, arching fronds provide a majestic and exotic look, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any landscape.
- Public Spaces: Often used in public gardens, parks, and resorts to create a tropical ambiance.
Maintenance
- Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Remove any dead or damaged fronds to maintain appearance.
- Fertilizing: Benefits from regular applications of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
- Pest and Disease: Generally pest-resistant but can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to minimize disease risk.
Notes
The Calappa Palm is a versatile and elegant palm that adds a distinctive tropical flair to any garden or landscape. Its impressive height and graceful fronds make it a favorite among palm enthusiasts and landscape designers.
Companion Plants
- Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm)
- Heliconia spp. (Heliconia)
- Alocasia spp. (Elephant Ear)
- Costus spp. (Spiral Ginger
Common Name
Calappa Palm, Solitaire Palm
Botanical Name
Actinorhytis calapparia
Family
Arecaceae
Origin
Native to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands
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Please note that all Plants on this site are a range of plants we grow through out the year.
Availability changes all through out the year. please check with us via our Sunshine Coast Garden Centre page for Pricing & Availability
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-stock however we can either order it in. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into stock soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use either Rocky Point Premium Potting mix or our own custom potting mixes blend to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use good quality Bagged garden soil around your plants at the time of planting
