In habitat this palm can be found growing over many areas of Central America and the Caribbean as far north as southern Florida. Like R. Oleracea it is found along rivers and other areas w/lots of water. Again it is very happy here w/just a bit of irrigation here in dry Wai`anae.
I can't remember when I bought this, but it was in a 5 gallon pot and a few feet tall at the time. Again I don't know when I planted it but it must have been a few years before this picture was taken in 1999. There is no way that I could have moved a palm of this size from my p/u truck and into a hole in the ground.
One year and it's has grown quite a bit.
Seven and 1/2 years later I have another monster palm.
