शैम्पेन पाम<br> <i>ह्योफोर्बे इंडिका</i>

Hyophorbe indica also known as the Champagne Palm is a very rare relative of the well known Bottle and Spindle Palms threatened by habitat loss. A slender solitary trunk is light grey to light tan in colour beautifully ringed with widely spaced dark leaf scars. The crownshaft on mature palms usually bulges at the base is about 1m tall, being variable in colour. The crown is made up of between 5-6 long, gracefully arching strong pinnate leaves. Leaflets are light to dark green, arranged producing a narrow 'V' shape in cross section. This ornamental palm is relatively slow growing and will make a great specimen for containers as an indoor palm given enough light. Can be grown on a patio or terrace through summer and brought inside through winter. A great one for the collectors.

Native to Reunion Island in the Indian ocean the Champagne palm is frost tender and slow growing but well worth the effort. If planting out, choose more established specimens and position in a wind-protected spot in full sun to partial-shade. It is unfussy about soil as long as it's free draining. Known as the Poison Palm because of it's incredibly bitter taste, this beauty is not for eating but for admiring!