Hovomantsina Palm

The Hovomantsina Palm is a solitary, emergent palm from northeastern Madagascar’s lowland rainforests. Its long, arching pinnate leaves rise above a conspicuous pale, waxy crownshaft that is reddish and hairy near the top. Kew accepts *Chrysalidocarpus hovomantsina* and lists the former name *Dypsis hovomantsina* as a synonym. ## Garden Use Give this large palm a prominent specimen position with room for the crown and its long leaves. It is suited to tropical or subtropical gardens and is best used where a substantial single-trunk silhouette can mature without crowding. It is a rare palm; select cultivated nursery stock rather than material taken from wild populations. ## Growing Conditions In nature it grows in humid lowland forest, often on midslopes or near valley bottoms. Provide warmth, regular moisture and a well-drained root zone. Horticultural reports describe it as intolerant of freezing conditions, so protect it from cold exposure and use a sheltered site outside consistently warm climates. [Useful Tropical Plants](https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dypsis+hovomantsina) and [Trebrown Nurseries](https://www.trebrown.com/plant_info.php?species=Dypsis+hovomantsina) give further habitat and cultivation details. ## Maintenance Keep the soil from becoming waterlogged while avoiding prolonged drought, and leave healthy fronds in place. Remove dead foliage carefully without damaging the crownshaft. Do not harvest the palm heart: it is the growing point, and removing it kills the solitary plant.