Arecaceae
Plant Profile
Adonidia merrillii
(ah-doh-nih-DEE-ah) (mehr-RILL-ee)
Subfamily Arecoideae
Tribe Areceae
Subtribe Ptychospermatinae
“This extremely popular and easily grown small landscape palm can be seen in most tropical locations through out the world. It is a shame that this adaptable attractive little palm is so widely grown that it is taken for granted as “nothing special.” It is a neat and tidy pinnate palm with a short green crownshaft under a dozen or so recurved leaves, all atop a grey leaf scarred trunk slightly swollen at the base.” – Palmpedia
“The Christmas palm, also known as the Manila palm, plays an important role in tropical landscapes because few other palm species are so well suited for small sites. This species is native to the Philippines but has been cultivated throughout the world’s tropics for many centuries. It grows fairly quickly to a height of about 6 feet, but very slowly thereafter, retaining its proportions for a long time” – IFAS
“The native range of this species is Borneo (Sabah) to Philippines (Palawan, Danjugan). It is a tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. It is has environmental uses and social uses, as a medicine and for food.” – Kew
Origin Map from Kew Royal Botanic Gardens