Dreadlock Palm

The Dreadlock Palm is a solitary New Caledonian palm identified as *Burretiokentia hapala*. It grows in humid northern forests and may reach the subcanopy or emerge above it. ## Identity and habitat Kew’s [Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:664924-1) accepts *Burretiokentia hapala* and records it as a tree native to northern New Caledonia and the wet tropical biome. The [Endemia species account](https://endemia.nc/en/flore/fiche1109) describes a palm to about 15 m tall, with a solitary trunk and conspicuous leaf scars. It grows in dense humid or gallery forest on schist-derived soils, at roughly 50–400 m elevation. The account reports an Endangered assessment dated 2016 and notes threats including deer browsing, habitat degradation, pigs, and fire. ## Growing context The species account documents wild growth and habitat but does not provide garden care or USDA hardiness guidance. The height reported is a wild maximum, not a cultivation guarantee. ## Maintenance No species-specific cultivation schedule was confirmed in the opened sources. Seek specialist advice about irrigation, drainage, and cold protection before planning this palm for a landscape.