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Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc.

Family Name:	Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms:	Normanbya merrillii, Veitchia merrillii
Common Name:	Manila Palm, Christmas Palm, Merrill's Palm, Adonidia Palm, Dwarf Royal Palm, 王棕, 大王椰子

Adonidia merrillii, commonly known as the Manila Palm, is a palm with a solitary habit. Its internodes are marked by distinct fine vertical wavy striations.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Coastal Plant

Indoor Plant

Suitable for Roadsides

Solitary Habit

Palm

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Palm (Solitary Habit)
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Fountain (Palm-like)
Maximum Height	5 m to 15 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width	3.5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Philippines
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest), Shoreline (Sandy Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: A palm with a single, erect trunk. Habitat: This species occurs in rainforests, open forests, steep limestone hills and areas along the coast, such as beaches near forests. It is found at altitudes of 10 - 100 m in the Philippines. Trunk: Trunk is grey with numerous circular leaf scars that are evenly spaced from top to bottom. Foliage: Large, pinnately compound leaves are arched upwards (1.5 - 2 m long), but the leaflets droop downwards (0.6 m long, 5 cm wide). The leafbases form a smooth, light green crownshaft that occurs above the trunk, but below the leaf blades. Flowers: Flowers are arranged in groups of three (two male flowers and one female flower) in long, branched inflorescences known as panicles (0.6 m long). Male flowers have a puffball-like appearance due to their numerous stamens. Fruits: Large bunches of ovoid fruits are classified as drupes (3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide). In the USA, the green fruits turn red at maturity during fall and winter. Landscaping: This species resembles the Royal Palm (Roystonea regia), but it is more compact. The crown is symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. Individuals may be planted singly, in small clumps of 2 - 3 individuals or in lines. It is often planted in parks, public and home gardens and along roadsides. It is also suitable for courtyards or lobbies where space is limited. You might plant 2 small individuals in the same pot for a fuller look. Cultivation: This species grows best in moist, but well-drained soils. Established plants can tolerate short periods of drought, nutrient poor or alkaline soils, as well as moderate amounts of salt and shade. It is not frost tolerant. Fertilize every other month with a 11-4-11 NPK fertilizer designed for palms. Mulch the plants to help retain soil moisture. This species is susceptible to mealy bugs and a fatal bacterial disease called "lethal yellowing." When growing this species indoors, provide at least 3.2 klx of light. Propagation: Propagate by seed. Soak the fruits in water (changing the water every day) until the flesh becomes soft. Then, use a knife to remove the flesh from the seed. People with sensitive skin should wear gloves when touching the flesh, because the flesh contains oxalate which may irritate the skin. Plant the seeds in moist peat mixed with perlite. Then, seal the pot in a plastic bag to retain moisture and place it under indirect sunlight. Fresh seeds naturally germinate in about 1 - 3 months. For faster germination, allow the seeds to soak in water for 3 days (changing the water daily) or scratch the seed surface until the endosperm is visible. Etymology: The genus "Adonidia" was named after the Roman sun god, Adonis. It was named Manila Palm, because it is often used in Manila (capital of the Philippines) for landscaping.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: A palm with a single, erect trunk. Habitat: This species occurs in rainforests, open forests, steep limestone hills and areas along the coast, such as beaches near forests. It is found at altitudes of 10 - 100 m in the Philippines. Trunk: Trunk is grey with numerous circular leaf scars that are evenly spaced from top to bottom. Foliage: Large, pinnately compound leaves are arched upwards (1.5 - 2 m long), but the leaflets droop downwards (0.6 m long, 5 cm wide). The leafbases form a smooth, light green crownshaft that occurs above the trunk, but below the leaf blades. Flowers: Flowers are arranged in groups of three (two male flowers and one female flower) in long, branched inflorescences known as panicles (0.6 m long). Male flowers have a puffball-like appearance due to their numerous stamens. Fruits: Large bunches of ovoid fruits are classified as drupes (3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide). In the USA, the green fruits turn red at maturity during fall and winter. Landscaping: This species resembles the Royal Palm (Roystonea regia), but it is more compact. The crown is symmetrical and pleasing to the eye. Individuals may be planted singly, in small clumps of 2 - 3 individuals or in lines. It is often planted in parks, public and home gardens and along roadsides. It is also suitable for courtyards or lobbies where space is limited. You might plant 2 small individuals in the same pot for a fuller look. Cultivation: This species grows best in moist, but well-drained soils. Established plants can tolerate short periods of drought, nutrient poor or alkaline soils, as well as moderate amounts of salt and shade. It is not frost tolerant. Fertilize every other month with a 11-4-11 NPK fertilizer designed for palms. Mulch the plants to help retain soil moisture. This species is susceptible to mealy bugs and a fatal bacterial disease called "lethal yellowing." When growing this species indoors, provide at least 3.2 klx of light. Propagation: Propagate by seed. Soak the fruits in water (changing the water every day) until the flesh becomes soft. Then, use a knife to remove the flesh from the seed. People with sensitive skin should wear gloves when touching the flesh, because the flesh contains oxalate which may irritate the skin. Plant the seeds in moist peat mixed with perlite. Then, seal the pot in a plastic bag to retain moisture and place it under indirect sunlight. Fresh seeds naturally germinate in about 1 - 3 months. For faster germination, allow the seeds to soak in water for 3 days (changing the water daily) or scratch the seed surface until the endosperm is visible. Etymology: The genus "Adonidia" was named after the Roman sun god, Adonis. It was named Manila Palm, because it is often used in Manila (capital of the Philippines) for landscaping.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses	Suitable for Roadsides, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee))
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Poor Infertile Soils, Alkaline high pH Soils
Fertilizing	Fertilize every other month with a 11-4-11 NPK fertilizer designed for palms.
Diseases	Mealy bugs and a fatal bacterial disease called "lethal yellowing
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth, Leathery
Foliar Type	Compound (Even-Pinnate)

Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Spiral
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Linear), Palm Fronds (Pinnate / Feather)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Emarginate
Foliar Base	Truncate / Square
Typical Foliar Area	Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	2.5 (Palm - Solitary)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm)	Woody
Trunk Type (Palm)	Solitary Habit, Aboveground
Mature Bark Texture	Smooth

Root Type

Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious
Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White

Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Stellate / Star-shaped
Inflorescence Type	Panicle
Flower Lifespan on Plant	Several Days
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Drupe

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	1395
Species ID	2688
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.

Species record last updated on: 05 June 2025.