Like many of the palms, its early growth is exceedingly slow, but after a 

 height of three or four feet is attained, development under favorable soil and 

 weather conditions is rapid. A height of twenty-five feet and a spread of thirty 

 feet are common at ages ranging from ten to twenty years. This palm has 

 been known to withstand severe frosts, and has undoubtedly proved its hardi- 

 ness in withstanding drought, hard winds and an appreciable amount of alkali. 

 Very attractive landscape effects can be obtained by grouping the Canary 

 Island palm with species of Cocos, Sabal and other palm varieties. 



COCOS PALMS 



The Cocos palms are a very large tropical and semitropical genus of 

 pinnate-leaved palms, including the cocoanut. The generic term Cocos is a 

 Portuguese word meaning monkey and has reference to the nut, which re- 

 sembles a monkey's face. There is considerable variation in the habit and 

 appearance of the different species. Some have dwarf growth with recurved 

 leaves, and others are erect with long, nearly erect, plumy leaves. In the 

 latter class is the Cocos plumosa from southern Brazil, which forms beautiful 

 avenues in southern California from Santa Barbara south. They frequently 

 attain a height of forty feet and give attractive ornamental effects because of 

 their characteristic trunks and plumy crests of long feathery, swaying, dark- 

 green leaves. North of Santa Barbara this species frequently succumbs to 

 frost, and should not be planted except in well sheltered places. 



One of the best of the dwarf species is the Pindo palm (Cocos australis). 

 This species can be successfully grown in most of our valley counties. Its 

 handsome form with leaves strongly arched and recurved well qualifies it for 

 lawn planting. The graceful leaves are of a sage green color, and are usually 

 covered with a bloom. Unlike the Canary Island date palm it can readily 

 confine itself to limited space, seldom exceeding twelve feet in height or width. 

 A unique and striking characteristic is the spiral effect caused by the similar 

 bending to one side while arching of all the leaves on the plant. The fruit is 

 edible with a flavor somewhat like that of pineapple. 



GUADALUPE ISLAND PALM 



The Guadalupe Island palm (Erythea edulis) takes its generic name 

 from Erythea, one of the Hesperides, Daughter of Evening. It is found in 



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