Phenakospermum guyannense

You can grow one of the rarest and most sought-after New World Zingiberales. Phenakospermum guyannense, family Strelitziaceae, is the only species of its genus. Native to the Amazonian Basin, this spectacular specimen is commonly called paloeloe and haritsi in Suriname and sororoca in Brazil. It has a similar leaf arrangement to Traveler's Palm, Ravenala but it’s the inflorescence that makes this plant special. The inflorescence looks similar to an upright Heliconia but much larger. The inflorescence is green to yellow-green with a white waxy coating. It is terminal on leafy shoot and held above the leaves, reaching up to 30 feet in height. Inflorescence may last two to four months.

 

Phenakospermum guyannense grows best in full sun to partial shade with moist soil. We have one large rhizome available. Rhizome will be shipped with leaves trimmed and soil free. Shipping within the US only.

 

Inflorescence: Upright and distichous
Height: up to 30 feet tall
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Growth: Clumping
Distribution: Amazonian Basin in tropical northern and central South America east of the Andes