Common Names: Christmas Palm/Manila Palm

A common site in shopping malls around the world, Adonidia merrillii originates from coastal areas and open forest on the Philippine Islands of Coron and Palawan. A slender, solitary trunked palm up to 5m (16ft) in height, it is often seen planted close together in small groups, which causes the trunks to curve gracefully apart, giving a very tropical, ornamental appearance. The bright green, pinnate leaves, long, green crownshaft and smooth, ringed trunk add to it's tropical appearance and, as it's heritage would suggest, it is very tropical in it's requirements, at least in terms of minimum temperature requirements. Even mature plants are unlikely to survive anything below 2°C/35°F, but they are an otherwise easy to grow species, being tolerant of humid or dry conditions, short term drought, poor soil and some shade. Whilst they will do best in a humid, tropical environment, their adaptability to pot culture and relatively compact form make them a great indoor palm in cooler areas, where they will survive happily for a number of years in a sufficiently bright setting. The name Christmas palm is attributed to the appearance of large clusters of bright red fruit, which often form in December.