The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association is dedicated to increasing the availability, knowledge and enjoyment of palms and cycads suitable to the lower Sonoran Desert environs of the Phoenix and Tucson area.
PAST MEETINGS OF THE ARIZONA PALM AND CYCAD ASSOCIATION
DIOON AND CERATOZAMIA POSTERS THE DEVIL TREE OF MADIGASCAR
HYOPHORBE LAGENICAULIS PALM WATERING GUIDE
THE TROPICAL PARADISE ADVERTISING RATES
ANTIQUE CYCAD REPRODUCTION ART PRINTS FROM THE 1800's
The next meeting of has not been scheduled yet. Please check back!
If you would like to become a member or host a meeting, please contact Mark Kiah
The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association evolved through the common interest of local enthusiasts passionate about palms and cycads. We endeavor to increase the knowledge, propagation, availability, landscape use, and overall enjoyment of the many species of these plants suitable to the lower Sonoran Desert environments. Because of the extremes of temperature (both hot and cold) that we experience here, many people are surprised to discover the large number of palm and cycad species that thrive in the Phoenix and Tucson regions. Members of our group have been successfully growing more than four different genera and seventeen different species of palms and more than seven different genera and fifteen different species of cycads. The palms and cycads in the photos on our web site are all growing in Arizona.
The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association visiting the palm gardens at the State Capitol, Phoenix, Arizona.
If you would like to learn more about growing and enjoying new as well as established species of palms and cycads in the Sonoran Desert or would like to share your passion and achievements with others please join us! Membership is only $20 per year and entitles you to attend all our meetings plus additional benefits.
To join or to renew your yearly membership please send $20 to P.O. Box 42945, Phoenix AZ 85080-2945 - attention Mark Kiah, Treasurer. Please make your check payable to: The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association.
The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association is an official chapter of the International Palm Society
To find out more contact Association President Nick Argyos or Vice President Monte Crawford.
Some of the past meetings of the Arizona Palm and Cycad Association
By Brad Hall
June 19, 2010, at the home of Rodney Anderson of Phoenix. He gave a presentation on his visit to Argentina including photos of palms, cycads and historic sites. Rodney is likely the best grower of cycads in Arizona and because of his prolific collection, seating was limited to 15 people, which quickly filled out... folks came from as far away as Palm Springs (300+ miles). Sodas and light refreshments were served.
April 4, 2009, at the home of Monte and Cynthia Crawford in Apache Junction, Arizona. John Lavranos was our guest speaker. John Lavranos is perhaps the preeminent botanical explorer and adventurer of the later part of the 20th century. He has described several African Encephalartos and many succulents. His slide show will span nearly 50 yrs of his travels. The topics included African cycads, arboresent aloes and xerophytic dracaena. This gathering was open to all members of the Arizona Palm and Cycad Society who are currently paid as of 2009 dues as well as members of the National Cycad Society. As usual, food and drink were served.
A beautiful display of different types of palms that grow well in Phoenix, Arizona. This is at Bob Claesgens' growing yard in south Phoenix.
October 18th, 2008, at a private garden in Phoenix Arizona. Palm expert Bob Claesgens hosted at his tropical paradise in South Phoenix. Of especial interest were examples of his cross of Phoenix rupicola and Phoenix reclinata. Bob states that the rupicola, although a beautiful palm, is much too slow growing and that the cross of it and the reclinata provides a quicker-growing tree with all of the beauty of a rupicola. There were also examples of Paurotis and Sable palms and many cycads. The meeting went from 1 p.m. to about 4:30 p.m. and refreshments were served including some very tasty chocolate-chip cookies!
April 26, 2008, at a private garden in Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona palm expert Scott Walkowicz presented on his recent trip to Santo Domingo. Refreshments and food were served. Palm and cycad seeds were distributed to all current paid members of the association. Members brought palms and cycads for sale. The meeting began at noon and the presentation went from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by a short officers meeting.
February 2, 2008, at a private residence in Phoenix, Arizona. The festivities began at noon, with a presentation by palm and cycad expert Tom Broome of Florida at 2 pm. Tom is a famous authority on propagation and growing in general. He shared two decades of knowledge and tips on cycad and palm cultivation, including very interesting information on cycad propagation. Membership in the association was not required. Refreshments were served.
Members in good standing of The Arizona Palm and Cycad Association of Arizona.
November 10, 2007, at a private residence in Apache Junction, Arizona. Renown cycad expert Loran Whitelock was the guest speaker. His presentation was on "Possible Cycads for the Phoenix Climate" which included Ceratozamia hildae, Ceratozamia zaragozae, Ceratozamia zoquorum, Cycas angulata, Cycas basaltica, Cycas beddomei, Cycas brunnea, Cycas cairnsiana. Cycas calciola, Cycas couttsiana, Cycas furfuracea, Cycas lane-poolei, Cycas media, Cycas megacarpa, Cycas panzhihuanensis, Cycas platyphilla, Cycas pruinosa, Cycas taitungensis, Cycas tanshachana, Dioon califanoi, Dioon caputoi, Dioon edule subspecies edule, Dioon edule subspecies angustifolium, Dioon holmgreni, Dioon merolae, Dioon purposii, Dioon sonorense, Dioon tomaselli, Encephelartos caffer, Encephelartos cerinus, Encephelartos cupidus, Encephelartos cycadifolius, Encephelartos dolomiticus, Encephelartos dyerianus, Encephelartos eugene-maraisii, Encephelartos friderici-guilielmi, Encephelartos ghellickii (grass veldt form), Encephelartos hirsutus, Encephelartos horridus, Encephelartos humilus, Encephelartos inopinus, Encephelartos laevifolius, Encephelartos lanatus, Encephelartos latifrons, Encephelartos lehamnni, Encephelartos longifolius, Encephelartos middleburgensis, Encephelartos nubimontanus, Encephelartos princeps, Encephelartos trispinosus, Lepidozamia peroffskynana, Macrozamia communis, Macrozamia diplomera, Macrozamia dyeri, Macrozamia fraseri, Macrozamia glaucophylla, Macrozamia heteromera, Macrozamia johnsonii, Macrozamia macdonnellii, Macrozamia moorei, Macrozamia riedlei, Macrozamia stenomera, Stangeria eriopus, Zamia angustiolia, Zamia encepharlartoides, Zamia furfurcea, Zamia inermis, Zamia lucayana and Zamia spartea.
April 28th, 2007, at a private residence in Scottsdale, Arizona. Members brought their plants for sale or trade. Bryan Brown gave a presentation of his trip to the Amazon.
October 28, 2006, at a a private garden in Apache Junction, Arizona. Susan and Bruce Ironmonger presented slides of their recent trip to cycad habitat in South Africa. Hard-to-find Australian cycads were available for purchase. Refreshments were served.
Growing cycads from seeds - or How do I get this cycad seed to become a cycad?
Adapted from The South African Cycad Journal, originally written by Danie Nel
It's easy! Just follow these simple steps and watch your cycad grow!
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Remove the black base of a 2 liter plastic bottle by pouring some hot water into the bottle.
If you place a few pieces of brick in the garden hole and cover them with compost, the water stays in the soil long for the roots to feed on. Do not overwater the cycads and be sure to label the plants with their species name and date. - Cut off the neck of the bottle (see the sketch).
- Place a few small stones in the bottom of the black section and cover it with a mixture of equal volumes of potting soil and river sand. If you do not have potting soil, just mix some compost into ordinary soil.
- The soil must be moist, but not too wet.
- Plant the seeds so that they are covered with soil. If they are too deep, they will take longer to grow.
- Turn the bottle upside down and place the open end over the black base. Remove the top once a week and water the soil (but do not overwater).
- Place the bottle in a warm spot but not in direct sunlight.
- The seeds should germinate within four to five months.
- Leave the seedlings in the bottle for about three weeks (not longer).
- Transplant the seedlings to a plastic plant bag with potting soil.
- Place the seedlings in a protected place and water them once a week.
- When the seedlings reach a leaf height of 300 mm (about 12 inches), they can be planted out into the garden.
Congratulations! Thank you for doing your bit towards the survival of the cyads and creating a friendlier, healthier world for all to live in!
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
By Brad Hall
This Hyophorbe lagenicaulis (bottle palm) has found a new home in the greenhouse of one of our members.
The Bottle palm is from Round Island in the Indian Ocean which is part of the Mascarene Island group. There are said to be fewer than 15 specimens left in its native habitat.
The Bottle Palm has a large swollen (sometimes bizarrely so) trunk. It is a myth that the trunk is a means by which the palm stores water. Bottle Palm has only four to six leaves open at any time. The flowers of the palm arise from under the crownshaft.
Bottle palms are very cold sensitive and are killed at 32°F (0°C) or colder for any appreciable length of time. They may survive a brief, light frost, but will have foliage damage. Only southern Florida provides a safe location in the USA to grow Bottle Palm, although mature flowering specimens may be occasionally be seen in favored microclimates around Cape Canaveral and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater in coastal central Florida. It makes a fine container-grown palm in other locations as long as it is protected from the cold and not overwatered.
While habitat destruction may destroy the last remaining palms in the wild, the survival of the species is assured due to its planting throughout the tropics as a specimen plant. — Wikipedia.
Palm Watering Guide
By Mark Kiah
Although palms can be planted any time of the year, it is important to carefully monitor the amount of heat or cold the site experiences for six months after planting to insure success. Palms slow down or stop growth completely during our cooler months and when planted during this time may take as long as 6 months to establish new roots due to lower soil temperatures. At this time, they will need less water and fertilizer.
Watering twice weekly in winter is usually enough although, in soil that drains well, 3 times a week is okay. Palms establish roots quickly during our warm months (April-October) due to the higher soil temperatures. Trees planted from early spring through summer usually set new roots in 2-3 months
Watering three times a week is best during summer months when temperatures exceed 100 degrees. Daily irrigation is allowed in fast draining soils, however in heavy clay, watering every other day with a longer cycle will allow deeper watering and encourage roots to grow deeper. This will help them stay cooler in summer and will minimize leaf burn. Skipping a day between watering also allows good soil drainage so roots can absorb the oxygen they need to stay healthy.
The Devil Tree of Madagascar (Encephalartos canibules)
Submitted by Monte Crawford
Originally printed in the South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register, 1881, written by explorer Carl Liche.
Copied from the South African Cycad Journal, 2000. Used with permission.
Much interest is being displaying in botanical circles in the light of new interpretation of certain information regarding the “Devil Tree”, which was overlooked or ignored at the beginning of the nineteenth century.
The original botanists and explorers who braved the dense forests of northern Madagascar did not realize how deeply grounded the superstitious fear of the tree was rooted in the local populace. When pressed to point out the rumored carnivorous plant, they were shown the innocuous Cycas thouarsii, known to them as “Betsilea”. The actual plant in question is known to the Howa people as “Batismisarka” which translates as “Tree with blood sucking tentacles (Schuster 1932, also Encephalartos No, 8, 1986)
"I have never encountered the tree," said the trader.
Cycas thouarsii cycad. Private garden, Phoenix, Arizona.
"Nevertheless I have found a deep belief in the existence of such a tree among the Sakalavas, the Havas and other tribes of Madagascar. Some tribes worship the tree. That provides a reason why they have never been willing to lead white men to it. No doubt sacrifices are offered, and accepted by the tree - a religious ceremony which, if proved, would lead to punishment in the French courts.
"It may be a myth, but other 'devil trees' are known to botanists. There is a plant in India that traps, consumes and digests mice. Can we say that no greater and more ghastly plant exists in the world. When I am in civilization I become doubtful about the man-eating tree. But when I am alone in the tropical forests at night. In the midst of a hundred dangers and among poisonous growths the botanists have never seen then I am ready to believe in the man-eating tree.
Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world, and is home to 5% of the world's plant and animal species, of which more than 80% are endemic to Madagascar. They include the lemur infraorder of primates, the carnivorous fossa, three bird families and six baobab species.
"When all the exaggeration has been stripped from a queer tale, there often remains something truly weird. Madagascar itself supports the legend of the man-eating tree. Botanists have described it as possessing the richest flora in all the tropics. A world in miniature where many thousands of plants remain unclassified. The country that has revealed the Traveler’s Tree may still hide the man-eating tree in its jungles."
Carl Liche, an early traveler in Madagascar, was the first European who described the man-eating tree. His account, to which I have referred, was printed in the Annual, No.5, of Christmas, 1881, and was widely reprinted. The London Missionary Society, publishers of the Annual, "gave the story for what it was worth," as we say in newspaper offices when something comes ill which is outside our experience hut not impossible. Here are the relevant points of Liche's narrative:
"The Mkodos, of Madagascar are a very primitive race, going entirely naked, having no religion beyond that of the awful reverence which they pay to the sacred tree. "
The deadly ya-te-veo tree, similiar to The Devil Tree of Madasgar, consuming a hapless victim. Carniverous plants were greatly feared at that time.
Liche then describes how he and his companion Hendrik were led into the recesses of a black forest composed of jungle below and palms above. "Suddenly all the natives began the cry 'Tepe! Tepe!' and Hendrik, stopping short, said 'Look" In a bare spot was the most singular of trees. If you can imagine a pineapple eight feet high and thick in proportion resting upon its base and denuded of leaves, you will have a good idea of the trunk of the free, which, however, was a dark, dingy brown and apparently as hard as iron. From the apex of this truncated cone (at least two feet in diameter) eight leaves hung sheer to the ground, like doors slung back on their hinges.
“These leaves, which were joined at the top of the tree at regular intervals, were about eleven or twelve feet long. tapering to a sharp point and set with strong thorny hooks. They hung limp and lifeless, dead green in colour. The apex of the cone was a round white concave figure like a smaller plate set within a larger one. This was not a flower but a receptacle, and there exuded into it a clear, treacly liquid, honey sweet, and possessed of violent intoxicating and soporific properties.
"From underneath the rim (so to speak) of the undermost plate a series of long hairy green tendrils stretched out in every direction towards the horizon. Above these six white almost transparent palpi reared themselves towards the sky with such a sinuous throbbing against the air that they made me shudder with their suggestion of serpents flayed, yet dancing upon their rails.
"With wild shrieks and chants the natives now surrounded one of the women and urged her with the points of their javelins until slowly, and with despairing face, she climbed up the stalk of the tree and stood on the summit of the cone, the palpi swirling all about her. 'Tsik! Tsik!' (Drink! Drink!) cried the men. Stooping, she drank of the viscid fluid.
"The slender palpi, with the fury of starved serpents quivered a moment over her bead, then fastened upon her ill sudden coils. The tendrils wrapped her about in fold after fold; and now the great leaves rose and closed about the victim with the ruthless purpose of a thumbscrew. The retracted leaves of the great tree kept their upright position during ten days. Then when I came one morning they were prone again, the tendrils stretched, the palpi floating, and nothing but a white skull at the foot of the tree to remind me of the sacrifice."
Such is the weird story of Carl Liche. Yet is it more strange than the unexplained facts that face the scientist in Madagascar - The very people of the island, the olive-skinned races of the interior who bear no resemblance to the natives Africa cannot be explained.
I find it hard to accept Carl Liche’s story of the man-eating tree. But like my friend the trader, I know that if I spent a night in the primeval forest of the great island I should step warily, and dread the honey-sweet odour that lures creatures larger than mice to death.
The tree was given further publicity by the 1924 book by former Governor of Michigan Chase Osborn, Madagascar, Land of the Man-eating Tree. Osborn claimed that both the tribes and missionaries on Madagascar knew about the hideous tree, and also repeated the above Liche account.
In his 1955 book, Salamanders and other Wonders, science author Willy Ley determined that the Mkodo tribe, Carle Liche, and the Madagascar man-eating tree itself all appeared to be fabrications.
Cycad Posters — “Key to the Species of Dioon”, “Key to the Species of Ceratozamia”
The Cycad Society is now offering a “Key to the Species of Dioon” and "Key to the Species of Ceratozamia" posters for sale, beautifully printed in full color and suitable for framing. The price is only $20 plus shipping. To order a copy, contact Tom Wichman, the Education Director of The Cycad Society, at education@cycad.org. Proceeds from the sale of the posters will go toward cycad research, conservation, and/or education.
