Johannesteijsmannia altifrons
Very rare species
Surely one of the most stunning and spectacular palms in the world, J. altifrons has large, simple, undivided leaves that can reach a length of more than 6m/20ft, rising directly from an underground rootstock. These huge, very leathery, roughly diamond-shaped leaves are pleated along their length, giving the most bizarre appearance. The Joey grows in montane rainforest in S. Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, at up to 1200m (400ft). It is much tougher and more cool-tolerant than one might expect, and will grow happily in the subtropics and of course any tropical climate, in a shady, wind protected situation. It has been proven to do well, for instance, in coastal S. California, S. Spain or S. Florida, and can even be kept as a striking indoor plant. We now have a very fresh lot of the peach-seed-sized seeds of this much sought-after plant available at very attractive prices.
