Metallic Fishtail Palm (Chamaedorea metallica)
Chamaedorea metallica is an evergreen, small, palm-like shrub with a slender, upright, unbranched single stem. It is reported to be evergreen.
Overview
Chamaedorea metallica is an evergreen, small, palm-like shrub with a slender, upright, unbranched single stem. It is reported to be evergreen.
Origin and habitat
Sources differ on its native range: Mexico is cited, with some accounts specifying Veracruz and Oaxaca and another extending the native range to Guatemala. It is reported to grow naturally in the forest understory of dense, humid forests and lowland rainforests on Mexico's Atlantic slope. It can be cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates and is suited to low-light understory conditions.
Characteristics
Sources differ on mature height, with a reported range of about 100–300 cm. The leaves are reported to be mainly bifid and fishtail-shaped with V-shaped tips, though pinnate leaves can also occur and both forms may appear on the same plant; they range from dark green to blue-green with a blue-gray or metallic sheen and cluster at the top of the stem. It is reported to grow relatively slowly and to produce orange, spike-like inflorescences and clustered orange fruits on slender stalks.
Light
It is reported to suit partial shade to deep shade and low-light conditions; outdoors it can grow from deep shade to moderately bright light, and it is also suitable as an indoor plant. For artificial lighting, the source recommends providing light daily.
Watering
Regular watering is reported to be suitable, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly before watering again; its natural habitat is humid forest.
Temperature and dormancy
Sources differ on minimum temperature, with about -1.1 °C reported. A USDA hardiness classification is reported for the species, and it generally tolerates brief light frost.
Growing medium and mounting
It is reported to suit moist, humus-rich soil and to tolerate alkaline limestone soil.
Feeding
It is reported to have low nutrient requirements in its natural habitat, while regular use of palm fertilizer can promote growth performance.
Common problems
Mature, established plants are reported to withstand brief light frost, while young plants require protection in low temperatures.
Identification
Its most conspicuous reported features are dark green to blue-green leaves with a metallic sheen and distinctly bifid, fishtail-shaped tips; the slender upright stem has a bamboo-jointed appearance, with leaves clustered at the top.
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