Re: Chamaerops humilis
Charels wrote:
>Where did I get the idea that Chamaerops humilis grew
>naturally in the mediterranean zone of Chile? Does anyone have any
>evidence that it does?
You may have seen pics of it planted there and I have no doubt that it
would survive, but it is definitely a true mediterranean plant, native
to both north and south coastal regions mainly in the western med. I
believe it's most southerly range extends to the Atlas mountains of
Morocco where it is represented by a particularly fine, blue leaved
form - var. 'cerifera' which is almost as bright as the Mexican Blue
Hesper palm and far hardier.
>I got the idea somewhere and was about to buy one for our
>mediterranean Botanical Garden when I checked and could not
>substantiate the idea. Oops, I saved some money. Unless one of you
>can give me some documentation that it does grow there!
Well, if the justification for planting it is that it is a
mediterranean subject, you could not find a more typical example.
However, if the justification is for a plant native to Chile, then the
infinitely more expensive and slower growing, Jubaea chilensis would
be a more suitable choice.
Dave Poole
