The Exotic Beauty of Kentia Palm

Despite of being considered as a vulnerable plant by the World Conservation union, the Australian native Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) is still one of the world’s most beautiful palms that can be grown either indoors or outdoors. The Kentia palm also known as the thatch palm got its scientific name, Howea forsteriana, from Lord Howe Island in Australia for the Howea and Balfouriana is from Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour (1853-1922), Botany professor and keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. It is characterized by a a slender trunk with slightly raised annular trunk rings and a graceful crown of dark-green drooping fronds.  It has a series of arching, feather-like, dark green, droopy leaves radiating from small trunks.  These leaves can grow up to 3 meters long on thornless petioles.  While the leaves produce an airy and poised look, the finger-shaped leaflets bend downward in a fashionable two-tone look.  The kentia palm produces an inflorescence consists of white flowers and dull red egg-shaped mature fruits.  Although they are slow growers, Kentia palms can grow to about 6 to 18 metres as a solitary tree.

Kentia Palm is a wonderful specimen palm.  Smaller specimens require low light levels while larger ones require more light.  During the 19th and 20th century, the Kentia palm is used for interior decoration.  Today it is still a popular indoor plant, durable houseplant, and adds elegance to private gardens. Established kentia specimens can be expensive. Some studies show that Kentia specimens are effective on toxin removal just like peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) and dracaena Janet Craig.

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