Origin and Habitat: Western New Guinea ( former Irian Jaya)
Type Locality: Jayapura Division, Cyclops Mts., Ifar, 250-800m
Altitude: up to 1000 m above sea level.
Habitat: It grows in the undergrowth of montane rainforests.
Synonyms:
Description: Calyptrocalyx doxanthu ia a very decorative smallish understory, monoecious palm with new leaves a wonderful pinkish coloration. It forms open cluster of slender trunks.
Stems (trunks): Clustering up to about 2-2,5 m tall.
Leaves: The pinnate fronds are divided into leaflets. Leaflets (pinnae) light green, regularly set, often marbled (depending on lighting), ovoid to lancelote and caudate with 7 cm long drip tips. The emerging leaf is brightly pink coloured.
Inflorescence: Solitary, spicate, male flowers with fused stamens; anthers inflexed, fused.
Fruit: Ellipsoidal, 10 mm long, red. Endosperm homogeneous.
Bibliography: Main references
1) Charlie Beck “GROWING Calyptrocalyx IN PALM BEACH COUNTY” http://www.palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/Calyptrocalyx.pdf Accessed on 16 Jan 2013
Cultivation and Propagation: This is a rare palm mainly cultivated for its colourful new leaves by specialist palm growers and botanical gardens in tropical countries, but still scarcely known in cultivation. It is shade-loving palm adapt to tropical climates.
Growing rate: Slow growing.
Soil requirements: It has a fibrous root system and benefits from deep sandy loam soils that are fertile and well drained but thrives on wide range of tropical soils. Waterlogged, highly lateritic, extremely, stony or peaty soils should be avoided.
Watering: Calyptrocalyx prefers very copious waterings (less if well mulched) and should be watered before the soil completely dries. Help soil conserving its humidity with heavy ground-cover mulch , which affords a rich decaying organic base. However once established it seems to be quite drought tolerant. Calyptrocalyx roots are shallow, and spreading, so it loves to explore and insinuate themselves into this rich mulch, which must be constantly wet. Don't let sit in water. Indoor, potted Calyptrocalyx should not be over-watered.
Light: Will grow better in full shade, but tolerates morning sun. Seedlings like a more sheltered area.
Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements.
Aerosol salt tolerance: Not known.
Wind tolerance: It needs wind protection. Dry winds easily damage or kill it.
Hardiness: USDA Zones (9b-)10-11 It is one of the more cool-tolerant Calyptrocalyx because of the altitude at which it is found. It is suited for tropical or subtropical climate and even will do well in most warm temperate climates, but require protection from cold.
Uses: None recorded. It is of no particular merit as a source of cane for rattan handicrafts.
Garden uses: It is rarely cultivated, but is a very tropical looking excellent palm. Young plants have a small stature and the shape and colour of the leaves has the potential to be used as an ornamental plant. It is ideal where garden space is limited and a small plant is required. It is a great collector's palm.
Hazard: Has spiny stems and leaves.
Propagation: Seeds or division.
