Oraniopsis appendiculata

The Oraniopsis appendiculata is a rare Australian palm in cultivation, sought after for its habit resembling that of a dwarf coconut tree, and the beautiful golden to coppery patina that adorns the undersides of its petioles and fronds. This species, native to high-altitude forests subjected to a humid and mild climate without excessive heat, makes a very attractive plant for a temperate greenhouse. Indeed, its cold resistance remains very low and greatly limits its cultivation in some regions. 

Oraniopsis appendiculata belongs to the family of Arecaceae. It is native to northeastern Australia, where it is found in mountainous rainforests, up to about 1,500 m (5ft) in altitude. This species lives in gorges and narrow ravines at the foot of steep coastal chains, on volcanic soil. It is a plant of a tropical climate, very humid, where fog is very frequent. This palm grows very slowly, especially in the juvenile stage, remaining in the rosette stage for a long time. Growth accelerates a little when the "trunk" starts to rise. Ultimately, in its native lands, it reaches a height of about 20 m (66ft). When grown in containers in our climates, it will not exceed 2.50 m (8ft) in height with a 1 m (3ft) spread. Its cold resistance, once mature, is around -3°C (26.6°F) for brief periods.

This palm develops a single grey trunk irregularly marked with leaf scars. At the top of this trunk, a crown consisting of 8-15 rather short and erect leaves, about 5-6 m (16-20ft) long and 20 cm (8in) wide at the base, develops. Each leaf is divided into 220 leaflets (110 on each side of the rachis, the main vein). The petiole reaches about 65 cm (26in) in length. The undersides of the leaves and petioles are densely covered with a waxy layer of golden-copper color. It is a dioecious species, meaning that there are separate male and female plants. Flowering occurs on very mature specimens in nature.

This palm cannot be planted in the ground in the most sheltered gardens, it can be grown in a pot to adorn the terrace in the summer or the greenhouse in winter, always in partial shade. It can sometimes be difficult to associate due to its strong personality; reserve a corner of a swimming pool for it and, for example, associate it with Fargesia bamboos, graphic, sober, and colorful Phormiums, Cordylines, and Hakonechloa macra Aureola, an easy-care ground cover with beautiful orange foliage in autumn.