Tavilo Palm

The Tavilo Palm is a solitary Madagascar palm with a pale, ringed trunk and an arching crown of grouped leaflets. Botanical references describe it as a canopy palm with a reported trunk range of 4–12 m; its local names include Tavilo and Babovavy. Modern classification places the species in *Chrysalidocarpus*, under the name *C. prestonianus*, while older horticultural sources use *Dypsis prestoniana*. [Field Guide to the Palms of Madagascar](https://palmpedia.net/wiki/books/12_Field_Guide_to_the_Palms_of_Madagascar_English.pdf) · [2022 taxonomic treatment](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/tax.12797) ## Form and landscape use Its solitary trunk and long, arching leaves give it a strong vertical and canopy presence. Allow generous room for the eventual palm rather than treating it as a small understory accent. The field guide records a mature height up to 12 m and a native range centered on the Midongy area of southeastern Madagascar. ## Siting and soil In cultivation, choose a warm, sheltered position. A specialist grower recommends light shade for young plants and full sun to partial shade as they grow, in rich, well-drained soil. Its wild habitat is moist forest on slight slopes with clay soils over laterite, so avoid a site that dries hard between waterings. Frost sensitivity is reported by the grower; protect the crown and root zone from cold. ## Maintenance Water regularly and keep the root zone from drying out. Keep the palm sheltered from cold and strong exposure, especially while young. Remove only dead or damaged foliage, leaving healthy leaves in place.