Christmas palm
Adonidia merrillii (Becc.) Becc.
Adonidia merrillii, known as the Christmas palm, is a palm species native to the Philippines. It is cultivated in various regions worldwide and has been naturalized in the West Indies and Florida. The species is named for its bright scarlet fruits that appear in winter. It typically grows to 8 meters in height, though some specimens exceed 40 feet. The palm develops 5-7 fronds when young, increasing to 10-12 as it matures.
Description
Adonidia merrillii is a slender palm in the Arecaceae family, found in the Philippines and naturalized in parts of the Caribbean, Central America, and the southern United States. Its small size and attractive red fruits have contributed to its popularity in horticulture. The species was described in 1919 and is widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates. It is known for its compact growth and is often used in landscaping. The palm's distribution includes Borneo, the Comoros, the Cook Islands, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Leeward Islands, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, the Windward Islands, and parts of Colombia.
Other common names
Manila PalmChristmas palm
Distribution
AI · MX · KN · IN · BR · Antioquia, Cundinamarca · Global · Borneo · Comoros · Cook Is. · Dominican Republic · Haiti · Leeward Is. · Philippines · Puerto Rico · Trinidad-Tobago · Windward Is. · Manizales · CU
Synonyms
Normanbya merrilliiVeitchia merrillii
