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Bismarckia nobilis 'Silver'

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Bismarckia nobilis 'Silver'

Family Name: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms: Medemia nobilis 'Silver', Bismarckia nobilis 'Silver Select'
Common Name: Silver Bismarck Palm

Name

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

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 6 m to 12 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 4 m to 5 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Madagascar (cultivated)
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Grassland / Savannah/ Scrubland)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form Solitary palm, 6-12m tall and up to 5m across under cultivation.
Trunk Single, grey, 30-45 cm thick, topped by crownshaft of persistent frond-sheath bases.
Foliage Strikingly silver due to surface-bloom of silver-grey wax, fan-shaped, stiff and large (over 3m across when mature).
Flowers Plant is dioecious (separate male and female plants). Female plants produce inflorescences of small creamy-white flowers.
Fruit Ovoid drupes, single-seeded, produced in large clusters on female palms. Plant not observed to flower and fruit under local conditions, although flowering has been observed in Indonesia (Batam).
Cultivation Heat-loving and drought-tolerant. Prefers well-drained soils. May be attacked by Hispid Beetle which bores through apical shoot, and causes death and eventual collapse of crown.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Bismarckia' named after General Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898), first Chancellor of the German Empire. Genus is monotypic (ie. possessing only 1 species). Species epithet 'nobilis' means 'renowned' or 'famous'.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides, Swimming Poolside, Focal Plant
Thematic Landscaping Silver Garden, Moonlight Garden
SGMP Treatment

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Ant, Beetle, Fly, Thrip, Wasp))

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water, Little Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Diseases May be prone to bacterial rot in waterlogged soils. Susceptible to crown damage caused by Hispid Beetle.
Pest(s) Associated with
Propagation Method Seed
Propagule Establishment Remarks Seeds take 2-3 months to germinate.
Planting Distance 4 m to 5 m

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Silver / Grey
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Spiral
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Palmate), Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Palmately Lobed
Typical Foliar Area Megaphyll (>1640.25cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 2.5 (Palm - Solitary)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Non Woody
Trunk Type (Palm) Solitary Habit, Aboveground
Bark Colour(s) Grey to tan brown
Mature Bark Texture Smooth
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s) Aboveground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Unisexual Flowers , Dioecious
Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White
Flowering Period Rarely
Flowering Opening Time Time-Independent
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1307
Species ID 2600
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: 14 October 2021.
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