The Diversity of Licualas By Paul Craft I will not pretend to hide my fondness for Licualas. There is no question I like all palms, but the extremely diverse nature and ornamental beauty of Licualas make them a favorite of mine. With 170 taxa in the genus as well as several undescribed species in cultivation, it is also one of the largest genera in the palm family. Some grow 60 feet or more in habitat, such as Licuala ramsayi, while others are Lilliputian palms, such as Licuala triphylla, staying less than a foot tall. Most are solitary trunked species, but there are several clustering varieties as well. Leaves can be undivided or split into a myriad array of deeply cut segments. A few exhibit a secondary petiole bearing one additional segment or occasionally two. Leaf shape can be completely circular or wedge shaped. Leaf stems are generally armed with small teeth, and a few can be quite treacherous to unprotected wayward fingers. Fruit is almost always orange to deep red and can put on quite a showy display. There are two other genera closely related to Licuala. In 2011, after molecular work and further morphology review, Andrew Henderson and Christine Bacon determined that 8 species originally in the genus Licuala should be separated into a new genus, Lanonia. These are found in Vietnam and China with one native to Sulawesi. One main difference is Lanonia is Lanonia dasyantha with its mottled leaves dioecious (separate male and female plants) while Licuala is monoecious (male and female flowers found on the same plant). The other Licuala relative is Johannesteijsmannia, which contains 4 species. They appear quite different with their elongated somewhat diamond shaped leaves, but other than that, they are very similar to Licualas. Perhaps sooner or later these two closely related genera will be lumped together. Johannesteijsmannia perakensis at Singapore Botanic Gardens 1 Because of their highly ornamental value, it is no wonder why Licualas are so highly sought after by enthusiasts. When used in groupings, many of the medium to larger species, such as L. ramsayi and L. grandis, are stunningly dramatic. Likewise, a viewer may well be taken aback coming upon a solitary specimen of Licuala peltata sumawongii in a landscape with its 6 foot undivided leaves. Small species, such as Licuala triphylla and
Licuala mattanensis var. paucisecta are gorgeous in cozy settings to be viewed close-up. One of the most stunning sights, featuring Licualas, I have seen is the use of grouping of Licuala grandis under a cluster of Chambeyronia macrocarpa. No matter how used, Licualas will always draw the viewer s eye and be strong focal points in the landscape. Many make excellent container specimens as well. Most species come from Southeast Asia, but their range is from Vanuatu west to India and Australia and north to China. They are all shade lovers, although Licuala spinosa can handle full sun very well. Licuala peltata sumawongii, L. grandis and L. ramsayi can also handle a great deal of sun, especially when older. All will tend to be a bit more yellowish green in sunshine rather than deep forest green when grown in shade. Virtually all do best in acidic soils, but a number tolerate the alkaline soils of South Florida very well. Licualas like it wet and never appreciate any semblance of a drought. Some species grow naturally in areas that are swampy at least part of the year. A few of these have developed specialty aerating roots, called pneumatophores, that reach up through the water of swampy habitats to absorb oxygen. Licuala ramsayi and L. peltata sumawongii are examples. As well as being water lovers, Licualas appreciate relatively high humidity year round. Many of the most unusual species come from areas of high humidity and rainfall year round. These species find it difficult to adapt to areas like California or even South Florida with its winter dry season. None are particularly cold hardy. Several species can tolerate the occasional very short cold snap to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or perhaps a Licuala ramsayi in habitat at Mission Bay in Australia degree or two lower, but will not tolerate prolonged cold temperatures in the mid to high 30s. In South Florida, the cold hardiest species seems to be Licuala spinosa. Licuala grandis with its colorful red fruit There are a number of species grown in cultivation with more being tried all the time. Probably the most common species in cultivation is Licuala grandis, also called the ruffled fan palm. This native of Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands is one of the easiest to grow and does very well as either a landscape or container plant. I think they look best when planted in odd numbered groupings of staggered heights. The collage of orbicular, undivided leaves from a grouping is simply spectacular. It has also 2
been used with good success as an interior plant given higher humidity. Licuala peltata var. sumawongii is another undivided leaf species that dwarfs L. grandis. Under ideal conditions, its leaves can be 6 feet across or more. It will tolerate a fair amount of sun, but will look best under a high canopy of shade that offers protection from winds that otherwise may tatter its relatively thin leaves. It will stand out wherever placed in the garden and will grow reasonably fast, for a Licuala, given adequate water. Often referred to as Licuala elegans, this is actually a valid name of a small species found in Sumatra that has yet to find its way into cultivation. For that reason, L. elegans should not be used when referring to L. peltata var. sumawongii. Licuala peltata var. peltata is equally impressive with its regularly split leaves. Two other undivided leafed Licualas are well worth mentioning here. Licuala orbicularis is a small palm that has orbicular leaves to 30 inches across and with age will develop a short stem. Most seen in cultivation are smaller. It holds its leaves tightly and is not an easy species to grow. Many growers have tried and had varying degrees of success. Those lucky people in Hawaii, who can mimic most closely this palm s native habitat, have had the best success. It wants constant high humidity, warm temperatures, good drainage, acid soil, and ample water. Here in Florida, the best success has been to grow it as a container plant and the further south you are, the easier it is to keep this species looking good. The best ones I have seen in Florida were in containers in the Florida Keys. One Licuala that I am particularly enamored Licuala orbicularis with is Licuala cordata. I first saw this palm growing in a garden in upper Queensland, Australia. It is a relatively small palm that is either solitary or clustering. It can develop a short stem with undivided orbicular leaves up to 40 inches across. The leaves are extremely stiff with a texture similar to that of corrugated cardboard and generally held on longish petioles. It is quite rare in 3 Licuala peltata var. sumawongii with its huge leaves
cultivation and most people lucky enough to have tried growing it have not found it easy to grow. It may well need similar conditions to that of L. orbicularis. Only a handful of cultivated plants are producing a very limited amount of seed, so it may take awhile before many growers are able to attempt growing L. cordata. There is a split leaf form of this species that is also highly ornamental. The minority of Licualas are clustering, but that number is increasing as more are found and described. Licuala spinosa is the most recognizable clustering species. It is a true water lover and thrives when grown in low wet areas or on the edges of ponds, ditches or streams Licuala cordata at Nong Nooch where it can easily get its roots into plentiful water. It is widely cultivated and often found growing in full sun, where it does very well if its water needs are met. It grows equally well in shade with stretched leaves giving the palm a more open look. I have seen dense clumps over 20 feet tall by 20 feet wide in Central America. Leaves can be 3 4 feet across and divided into 13 25 rather narrow segments. Long fruiting bracts with clusters of bright, reddish-orange fruit A large specimen of Licuala spinosa growing in full sun arching down beyond the foliage adds to the palm s beauty. This is a palm that tolerates either acidic or alkaline soils and seems to care most that it can get its roots into water. A lesser known clustering species is Licuala paludosa that grows in similar wet conditions as L. spinosa but does not do as well in full sun as the latter. It also forms dense clumps to 20 feet tall. The orbicular leaves measure 3 5 feet across and are divided into 6-12 equally sized segments. One form, originally named Licuala aurantiaca, has golden colored leaf petioles, which adds some pleasant colorization to Licuala paludosa growing on the bank of a pond 4
the plant. This native of Southeast Asia makes an attractive shrub either as a specimen in the garden or as a screening plant. Licuala sallehana is an unusual species from Malaysia described in 1997. It is densely clustering with thin stems to 5 feet or less that are often decumbent. Its undivided leaves are elongated up to 2 feet or more long, but only 7 8 inches wide. To say this is an attractive small palm would be a vast understatement. It has not been in cultivation for long and its landscape tolerances are not well understood. It is hoped it will do well under a host of conditions as it holds promise as a delightful palm to come upon in an intimate, shady area of the garden. An equally attractive variety, Licuala A young specimen of Licuala sallehana sallehana var. incisifolia differs in having divided leaves and a more condensed inflorescence. Licuala poonsakii is a native of Thailand that can grow to 15 feet and be either solitary or clustering. Leaves are less than 3 feet across and divided into 9 12 wedgeshaped segments with the center segment generally wider than the rest. Having only been described in 1997, it has not yet found itself into landscapes worldwide. It is growing happily in Hawaii with its consistent warmth and rain but there is little information from elsewhere. It is an A young specimen of Licuala poonsakii ornamen tal showy palm that can be a distinctive feature in a shady nook of the garden. The leaf crown of Licuala pitta Licuala pitta is generally a clustering palm with 4 8 stems to 8 feet tall. The semi-orbicular leaves have an unusual look. The 11 15 leaf segments converge at the point of attachment in a funnel shaped manner giving them a slight arch. With the palm holding 10 to 12 leaves, the effect is that of a fountain of elegance unique in the genus. This native of Thailand grows in the same proximity as Licuala poonsakii and was only recently described in 2008. It is new to cultivation but thus far, has done well where 5
attempted in Thailand gardens. The real test will be when tried in areas that differ from its habitat conditions. A few species are quite small and can virtually be used as a groundcover. One example is Licuala mattanensis var. paucisecta, a palm whose mottled leaf form is best known as Licuala mapu. Most palm lovers know about this species and will try it at least once. It makes an exceptionally delightful addition to an intimate spot in the garden where one can see it up close. The mottling is different from plant to plant and having 3 or more planted together can be a picturesque groundcover. With time and the best of growing conditions, they develop stems that do not appear to get much more than 3 feet tall. It is not an easy Licuala mattanensis var. paucisecta commonly called Licuala mapu species to grow, and seems best suited for wet parts of Hawaii with growing conditions similar to L. orbicularis. In South Florida, it can be grown in containers and occasionally makes it for a couple of years in the landscape, but rarely stays healthy for an extended time. Another small Licuala that could be used as a groundcover is the diminutive, Licuala triphylla, which has only 3, to sometimes 5, small wedge shaped leaflets with the overall plant maturing at less than 12 inches tall. It has a subterranean stem and leaves usually only 12 inches across or occasionally larger. In deep shade, the leaves are extended on 12 inch petioles. This is a species found on the forest floor of Malaysia and Thailand. In South Florida, it seems best suited in containers, becoming a delightful conversation piece. It requires well-drained acidic soil, ample water and consistent warmth. Where these conditions can be met, L. triphylla makes a delightful intimate gem in the landscape and is better yet when planted in odd numbered groupings. It does not The diminutive Licuala triphylla appreciate the lower humidity of a California climate or even the Florida dry season. 6
Most Licualas are solitary stemmed and have split leaves, but the number and width of the segments, how deeply divided they are, diameter of the leaf, and whether the leaf is orbicular or wedge shaped varies remarkably. Following are some examples of the wide diversity of the split-leaf Licuala species. Anyone who has been to the Licuala ramsayi swamps of Queensland will never forget the experience. It is cathedral-like and one finds himself speaking in hushed tones and whispers. The palms form a spectacle 60 feet overhead that can hypnotize the viewer with their dazzling arrangement of circular leaves. In cultivation, L. ramsayi does very well when given plentiful water and grows relatively quickly. It prefers acid soils, but will tolerate some alkalinity. Its growing conditions are much like that of L. peltata var. sumawongii. Licuala lauterbachii has been around a long time and is A specimen of Licuala ramsayi in a garden setting often overlooked for newer species coming on the scene. It is a proven performer that does well in both acid and alkaline soil that has a humusy top layer. There are different forms with either wider or narrower leaf segments as well as larger or smaller diameter leaves. It is another that I think looks best in a grouping of 3 or more plants of staggered heights. Its rate of growth is similar to L. grandis and it can be a charming container plant. A Licuala lquterbachii specimen A newer species that comes from Thailand is Licuala distans. This is a solitary palm to 15 feet tall with deeply divided, orbicular leaves up to 4 feet in diameter. Each segment has regular deep indents on the end. This species has not been in cultivation very long and growers are still learning about its needs. To date, it holds a great deal of promise for South Florida and elsewhere. It definitely likes the wet areas surrounding Hilo, Hawaii and seems at home with the normal watering given in South Florida landscapes. This species is a moderate grower being neither slow nor fast. L. distans s generally graceful habit makes it an enthralling addition to the landscape and it seems to tolerate short cold snaps to 30 degrees. 7
Licuala distans specimen in Hawaii Licuala naumannii is another species that appears to have been in cultivation since the early or mid-1990s. A young Licuala naumanniii specimen There has been a great deal of confusion between this species and another similarly named species, L. naumoniensis. The former is native to the Solomon Islands and was described by Burret in 1935, while the latter was described by Beccari in 1914 and claims New Guinea as its home. To add to the confusion, many plants were raised under the misspelled name, L. naumanii. All this goes to show the difficulty at times when new species to cultivation are initially grown. In the case of the palms brought in during the 1990s, L naumannii seems the name that was intended. Of course if we knew where the seed was collected, this would have been a much simpler decision. Regardless, this palm is a beautiful solitary palm with split leaves roughly up to 3 feet across. There are 12-18 leaf segments with the center one generally much wider than the rest giving the palm a unique appearance. It seems easy to grow tolerating acidic and slightly alkaline soil and does well with normal regular watering. Licuala platydactyla at Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens in Thailand Licuala platydactyla is native to the lowland rainforest of New Guinea. Although described back in 1921, there is very little information published about this species and plants in cultivation fall into two different looking plants. The question is which one is the real species. The one that is most cultivated is the one I am covering here. This palm can grow to about 12 feet on a slender, solitary stem with orbicular leaves that are deeply divided into 6 wide, wedge-shaped segments. It does well with abundant watering and medium shade. How it does in conditions other than ideal is still in the experimental phase, but thus far it appears to do well in South Florida with the occasional cold snap down in the 30s F and the drier 8
conditions that occur in winter. It is visually stunning and will stop people in their tracks when they come upon it. L. platydactyla is another species that helps show the wide diversity of the genus. Licuala parviflora is a rainforest palm from the mountains of Papua, New Guinea. It is another species that was described in 1921 but has only found its way into cultivation in the 1990s. L. parviflora is a very slow grower, to about 6 feet height, with orbicular leaves that are finely divided and remind the viewer of a Rhapis palm. Leaves can measure up to 30 inches across. This species is a superb example of one of the finely split leaf Licualas and looks great in the landscape or as a potted plant. Having been in cultivation for only a relatively short time and being so slow growing, few specimens have gotten very large. A Licuala parviflora specimen A native of Borneo, Licuala bintulensis is an acaulescent, solitary palm that rarely develops an above ground stem. The semi-orbicular leaves can be 2-6 feet across and are deeply divided into 5-19 wedge shaped segments of equal width except the center one, which is usually much wider. The stiffly held leaves with widely spaced segments make this palm a standout in the garden. It loves wet rainforest conditions in acidic soil. In South Florida, it has done well in containers, but has not done as well in the landscape. Whether it is an alkalinity problem, humidity problem or some other cultural practice it is not fond of has not been determined. Regardless, it is one handsome palm that if A young Licuala bintulensis successfully grown, will be a featured plant in the garden. There are two varieties of Licuala glabra with L. glabra var. selangorensis being perhaps the most sought after. The main difference between the two is the number of segments in the leaf with L. glabra var. glabra having 14 33 segments and var. selangorensis having less than 14, usually 5 10. The orbicular leaves can be more than 3 feet across and in the case of L. glabra var. selangorensis, the segments are of different widths with the center one much wider than the rest. This native of Borneo and Thailand is a rainforest palm that, like all Licualas, appreciates water and humidity. It is a shade lover that grows to only 8 feet high. As a lone specimen or in a grouping, this is a palm that begs to be seen. 9
Licuala peekelii is another species described long ago in 1911, but did not find its way into cultivation until the 1990s. This solitary stemmed species has orbicular leaves to 40 inches across that are split into unequal sized segments with the largest being in the center of the leaf. This native of the Bismarck Archipelago is a moderate grower that seems to tolerate both alkaline and acidic soils with normal watering. It tolerates the occasional cold snap down into the lower 30s F and grows well both in South Florida as well as the ideal conditions of Hawaii or Thailand. L. peekelii is highly ornamental and is an example of those Licualas, which exhibit unequal sized leaf segments. It is an ideal candidate for an intimate shady place in the garden where it can be truly appreciated. Licuala micrantha is a little known species from New Guinea. It is a slender solitary species to perhaps 6 Licuala glabra var. selangorensis feet with deeply split leaves that are half orbicular and divided into 3 to 7 narrow segments. The author has seen this species only once at Nong Nooch Botanical Gardens, but it left an impression because of its uniqueness. Information on this palm is extremely limited and how it would do outside the confines of ideal growing conditions is unknown. It is worth mentioning here to show its unusual characteristics in comparison with other species in the genus Licuala. A young Licuala peekelii specimen There are still species being discovered and some of these species are showing up in cultivation. While not formally described, they are known by location or native names such as Licuala sp. pre-ati, Licuala sp. yal braal, and Licuala sp. thung khai. Most are quite unique in appearance and some are growing very well in a wide range of conditions. One of these species is Licuala sp. togu budo, which is native to New Guinea. Little is known about this introduction from the 1990s, but it has proved to be a robust, larger growing, solitary 10 The unusual looking Licuala micrantha
species tolerating a wide range of conditions. It has large orbicular leaves divided in unequal sized segments with the center segment being the widest. It is a superbly handsome plant that does well in some shade with normal regular watering. Just because a species has not been officially described does not mean it shouldn t be tried. There are quite a few of these unnamed species throughout the family of palms that have been around a number of years. It simply takes time for taxonomists to do the research needed to verify these unknowns and then name them. After all, it is the goal of every palmnut to discover a new Licuala or other palm species that grows well in his or her landscape. It is part of what makes growing plants an enjoyable and rewarding experience. So there is a sampling of the diversity The undescribed species known as Licuala sp. togu budo of Licualas that should whet your appetite for trying out some in your garden or in containers. Most do very well in pots and do not need repotting very often. Some handle indoor conditions as long as humidity is kept high. This is a beautifully diverse genus and I must say I have never met a Licuala I didn t like! 11