As Easter approaches, stores are filled with potted palms. Florists luxuriate in fronds of the same. For Christians, Palm Sunday as special significance as the start of Holy Week. Falling on 25 March this year, it is the Sunday proceeding Easter Sunday, commemorating Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As he rode on a donkey, the scriptures record, crowds formed to lay palm fronds in his path, signifying a royal welcome.
In northern climes where palms to do grow naturally this used to present something of a problem for celebrants. In lieu of palms, branches of locally available box, olive, willow or yew might be used; in some areas, # willow found favour.
Modern transportation, particularly air freight, has changed the picture drastically. Congregations anywhere may contact local suppliers for fresh palm fronds for the worshipers. This is unlikely to raise problems when sourced from Florida. The Cabbage or Carolina Palmetto,
Sabal palmetto, grows abundantly there, an environmentally tolerant, tough native palm. Further afield, in southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala, severe ecological damage has been created by careless and over collecting practices.
Apart from the devout carrying fresh fronds to services, dried leaflet may be knotted to form a cross and placed on a picture frame or similar prominent position. At one time and perhaps still amongst some to keep evil spirits at bay. Other beliefs demanded that last year's palm must be burnt or misfortune will befall you. If that wasn't enough, then eating three pieces of palm would prevent sickness during the coming year. All of which seems to indicate the powers of palm.
Any number of reasons then exist for having palms around as Easter approaches. But why desecrate wild species? The ever-popular Areca Palm, as has been said, fills stores at this time of year. Note only find use in religious observances but it makes a fine houseplant the rest of the year. Better yet, whether by noshing on leaflets or no, it is rated as one of the top such indoor plants for removing pollutants for the air. And if that wasn't enough and average plant transpire a litre of water a day, making it a natural humidifier.
Also known as the 'Butterfly Palm,' 'Yellow Palm' or, perhaps more appropriately from its appearance as the 'Golden Cane Palm,'
Dypsis (
Chrysalidocarpus)
lutescens hails from the Great Island of Madagascar. Widely naturalized elsewhere, it flourishes in clumps up 20 to 30 feet (6-12m), although much shorter confined in a container. So impressed by it, the Royal Horticultural Society recognized it with their highly valued Award of Garden Merit. It may still be found listed under its older botanical mouthful of a name
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens. Give it bright light, average home temperatures and just moist at all times, and you will have a frond for life.
