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Chamaedorea metallica O.F.Cook ex H.E.Moore
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Metallic Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a small, solitary stemmed palm, up to 2-3m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its leaves are spirally arranged at the tip of the stem, held upright, simple with a bifid tip, or pinnate, 21-36cm long and 15cm wide, dark-greyish green, with a metallic sheen. |
| Crown Shaft | Crown shaft present. |
| Flowers | It is a dioecious plant, bearing male and female flowers on separate plants. The flowers are arranged in a spiked inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Its subglobose fruits are 1.2cm by 0.9cm, ripening black. |
| Habitat | It grows in the understorey of rainforests. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek, xamai-dorea, low-gift, referring to the accessible fruits. Latin metallica, referring to the metallic sheen of the leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for partially shaded or shaded areas in parks, as well as an indoor plant for homes and buildings. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate to Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Papery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate, Compound (Even-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Simple, Pinnate / Feather) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Metallic sheen |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1319 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2612 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
