Ambositra Palm

The Ambositra Palm is a Madagascar palm associated with the high central plateau near the town of Ambositra. Kew accepts the name *Chrysalidocarpus ambositrae* and lists *Dypsis ambositrae* as its synonym; mature plants carry arching, feather-like leaves above a pale crownshaft. ## Form and setting In the wild, this species occurs in open forest, on plateaus, and in rocky or riverine-forest remnants at roughly 1,300–1,500 m elevation. Reports describe a usually solitary trunk that can divide into two or occasionally more stems, with young growth showing red petioles and leaf axes that mature to a grey-white crownshaft. Mature-size reports vary: a botanical-garden account documents a 14 m tree, while the palm guide describes trunks more commonly around 3–7 m. ## Growing notes Give this palm room for its tall, arching canopy. A palm-growing guide recommends filtered light for young plants and fuller sun as they mature; its natural high-plateau setting is a useful reference when choosing a site. The sources describe it as an ornamental palm, while its natural populations are limited and conservation-sensitive. Sources: [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77314593-1), [Palmpedia growing guide](https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Chrysalidocarpus_ambositrae), and [Beattie, *PALMS* 51(1)](https://palms.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/v51n1p48.pdf). ## Maintenance Remove only dead or damaged leaves, keeping healthy green fronds in place. Allow clearance for the mature canopy and avoid disturbing the stem base.