Hyophorbe Lagenicaulis

The bottle palm is one of the most recognisable tropical palms, developing a smooth pale trunk swollen dramatically near the base and tapering towards a glossy green crownshaft. Only a small number of arching pinnate fronds are carried at one time, preserving its clean sculptural outline. Hyophorbe lagenicaulis is native to tiny Round Island off Mauritius and is critically endangered in the wild, although widely cultivated as an ornamental. Slow growing and highly frost sensitive, it makes an outstanding container specimen for a warm conservatory with ample light.