World Plants

Bismarckia nobilis (Noble Bismarck, Bismarck Palm)

Family	Arecaceae
Genus	Bismarckia
Species	nobilis
Category	Tropicals
Type	Tree (evergreen)
Origin	Endemic to western and northern Madagascar. Prince Otto von Bismarck was a 19th century German chancellor for whom the palm was named.
Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer	The trunk is flattened for use as planks or in partitions. Leaves are used for roofing and basketry.

USDA Hardiness Zone	9a - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone	Cool season protection required under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone	H1c - H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)	-6 - 5
Temperature (°F)	20 - 40
Height	6 - 12 m
Spread	3 - 5 m
Growth	Medium

Shape	Upright and wide spreading.
Propagation	Seed.
Cultivation	Full sun. Well-drained and moist soil with a pH of 6.1 - 6.5 (mildly acidic). Drought tolerant.
Habitat	Open grassland, plateaux and plains.
Bark/Stem Description	The trunk is 30 - 45 cm wide and slightly bulging at the base and free of leaf bases.
Leaf Description	Almost rounded leaves are enormous in maturity, 3 m wide and deeply-divided into 20 or more stiff segments. Leaves are costapalmate, producing a wedge-shaped hastula where the blade and petiole meet.
Flower Description	Pendent, interfoliar inflorescences of small flowers.
Fruit Description	Ovoid drupe with each containing a single seed.
Colour Description	The bark is greyish-tan. The foliage is a green and sometime bluish-green colour. The flowers and seeds are brown.