Hedyscepe

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

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Read about Hedyscepe in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Hedyscepe (Greek, sweet covering), Palmaceae, tribe Areceae. Umbrella Palm. A tall hothouse palm known to the trade as a Kentia, and resembling that genus in habit and foliage, but distinct in flower. In Kentia the fls. are arranged in 4 ranks, and the ovule is fastened at the bottom of the cell, while in Hedyscepe (and its cult, allies, Kentiopsis, Veitchia, Nenga, Archontophoenix, Rhopalostylis and Dictyosperma) the fls. are spirally arranged in the branches of the spadix, and the ovule is fastened at the side. From the allies above mentioned Hedyscepe is distinguished by the following characters: staminate fls. with narrowly lanceolate sepals, 9-12 stamens, with long filaments; pistillate fls. with petals like the sepals and valvate at the apex. As a house plant, H. Canierburyana is dwarfer and more spreading than the two howeas, and has a lighter shade of green. G.C. II. 24:587. H. canterburyana, a very handsome, palm, is the only species belonging to the genus, and, like the important howeas (or kentias of commercial horticulture), is known in a wild state only on Lord Howe's .Island, where it is known as the "umbrella palm" from the recurving habit of its foliage. It grows at a greater altitude than the howeas, not appearing below the 900-feet level, and from this it may be inferred that a slightly lower temperature is more suitable for this palm; but in a general way the same conditions as those required by the so- called kentias will give good results with this subject, namely, a night temperature of 60° to 62° F., moderate shading throughout nearly the whole year, plenty of water, and a rich and rather heavy soil. These palms respond freely to generous treatment. As a commercial palm, H. canterburyana is not very popular as yet, partly owing to the higher cost of seeds and the frequently low percentage of germination, and partly from the fact that in a young state this palm is by no means a rapid grower. In regard to hardiness of foliage, it is fully equal to the kentias, and for gracefulness and symmetry of growth will compare favorably with any of the commercial species. In southern California it is cultivated outdoors. (W. H. Taplin.) The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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References

• Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963

External links

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