Palms   Dypsis sp. 'Mealy Bug'

Synonymy: None Common Names: The Highland Redneck The Highland Lastelliana Habitat: rainforest Description: A very striking palm, with its beautifully white mottled petiole, (see Figure 2) and the length of the petiole, (see Figure 1) (about 3/5 the length of the entire leaf), and finally the lovely glossy, light green leaflets. Because this palm is so new to cultivation, there is no information available as to its eventual height. General: Although referred to as the "Highland Lastelliana", there isn't any actual link between the two palms (as far as is known). D. manajarensis is also commonly called the mealy bug palm, however it has no relation to this plant either, (unless the shape of the leaf changes quite drastically as the palm matures).

Figure 1. D. sp. 'Mealy Bug', showing the beautifull light green, shiny leaflets

Figure 2. Petiole detail, showing the mealy bug like colouring.

Culture: This palm requires medium shade as a seedling, however, it can quite quickly take full sun as it grows (as long as the humidity is high) Otherwise, the standard moist, but well drained situation, possibly with a high amount of organic matter in the soil. Its common name might suggest cold tolerance, however that's merely speculation at this time.

Contributed by:

Michael Gray