Family: Arecaceae
Scientific name: Hyophorbe verschaffeltii
Common name: Spindle Palm / Palmiste Marron
Origin: Rodrigues, Mauritius

The spindle palm is one of the most beautiful trees in the world. It originally grew on Rodrigues, an island that belongs to Mauritius. That island is known for the extinct Rodrigues Solitaire, a flightless bird related to the dodo. On Rodrigues, about 50 trees still remain in the original population. Unfortunately, the rest has been destroyed by logging. In nature, the palm is up to six meters high, but the species can also be cultivated as a houseplant with a minimum temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius.

Sowing description: Try to scarify the seeds with a knife or small saw and then let them soak in lukewarm water for 48 hours. Sow the seeds in sowing mix at a temperature of about 25 degC. Keep the soil constantly moist (not wet).

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 10 degrees Celcius

Photo 1: Abu Shawka