| Common name: Cat or Cascade Palm
Native to: Mexico Southeastern
Mature height: 6 feet
Mature spread: 8 feet
Growth Habit: multiple trunkless
Leaf type: pinnate |
photo by: Dennis Valdez
Jim Denz Garden
Los Altos |
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Description:
The natural habitat of this attractive and compact palm is Southeastern Mexico where it grows in wet forests or near fast flowing streams. Commonly used as a houseplant but has been successfully been grown as understory in shade. This is one that should be kept moist at all times and is well suited for the exotic tropical garden look. The mature size is usually up to 6 feet tall and the growth rate is probably faster than most palms. The suckering habit creates a dense clump of cascading fronds that is a sight to behold. The “Cat” is often sold in nursery outlets, but usually identified as “tropical foliage plant” and sold for use as houseplants. Inch diameter trunks will have 3 to 6 pinnate leaves up to 40 inches long with 30 to 50 leaflets each and up to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide. Clumps will spread to about two feet wide, but the outer trunks can be horizontal and forked, creating the look of an 8 foot wide plant.
photo by: Dennis Valdez
Jim Denz Garden
Los Altos |
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photo by: Jack Tomsky
Jack Tomsky Garden
Palo Alto |
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This species in the garden:
Growth rate: slow
Sunlight: filtered
Water: keep moist
Cold Tolerance: 24° F
Seed or plant availability: common
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