PACSOA - Actinokentia divaricata

Palms

Actinokentia divaricata

Synonyms:
Kentiopsis divaricata
Habitat:
Understory palm of wet forest slopes, from 60 to 1000m (200'-3000'), southern La Grande-Terre, New Caledonia..
Description:
A slender feather palm to 7m, with a yellow crownshaft, and 4-6 leaves.
General:
The new leaf has intense colouration which is not commonly found in palms, either in shade or sun demanding species. The ecological value of such a phenomena is little studied but it is suggested that it is a mechanism to repel leaf-chewing insects.
Cultivation:
Sheltered, shady, moist position, in well drained soil.

Figure 1. New leaf, showing the deep colour.

Figure 2. Crownshaft detail.

Figure 3. A. divaricata in habitat, New Caledonia.

Figure 4.

Figure 5.

Reference: "Palms & Cycads Around The World", Jack Krempin

Contributed by: Andre de Does (Figure 1 from Palms of the South-West Pacific, by John L. Dowe)
Rolf Kyburz, K-Palms (Figure 2)
John Lyle (Figures 3-5).

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Reference:	"Palms & Cycads Around The World", Jack Krempin

Contributed by:	Andre de Does (Figure 1 from Palms of the South-West Pacific, by John L. Dowe)
	Rolf Kyburz, K-Palms (Figure 2)
	John Lyle (Figures 3-5).