Trees Planet: zz019 Common Name

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

General Information

Common Name	Ponytail Palm
Scientific Name	Beaucarnea recurvata
Sun Tolerance	Full Sun
Height	4.5–6 m (15–20 ft)
Spread	1.8–2.5 m (6–8 ft)
Growth Rate	Slow
Bloom Time	Spring, Summer
Color	Green
Flower Color	White
Type	Tree
Native	Central America, Mexico

Classification

Kingdom	Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision	Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division	Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class	Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
Subclass	Liliidae
Order	Liliales
Family	Liliaceae – Lily family
Genus	Beaucarnea Lem. – bottle-palm
Species	B. recurvata

Beaucarnea Recurvata - Ponytail Palm

Beaucarnea Recurvata is native to eastern Mexico. It is common name is Ponytail Palm. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true palms. It is an evergreen slow growing to 15 – 20 feet (4.5 – 6 m) with a noticeable expanded caudex, for the purpose of storing water. The light green leaves, up to five feet long and 3/4 of an inch wide, are produced in tufts clustered at the tips of branches. The cascading nature of the leaves gives much the appearance of a pony’s tail. A full Ponytail Palm tree also looks like a big onion plant.

Creamy yellow flowers are quite showy as they are held above the foliage in spring or summer for several weeks. The tree will occasionally flower two or even three times a year. The small creamy white flower is produced only on older trees. The drought tolerant Ponytail palm is a great palm for ornamental placing in the home or office or landscape. The Ponytail palm does not enjoy being over watered. It is also one of the easiest palm trees to take care and suitable for gardening.