Asterogyne martiana
 
Common Names Polaris Palm, Pata de Gallo
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A rare understory palm native to the wet tropical forests of Central and northern South America, Asterogyne martiana is prized for its elegant, bifid leaves and compact stature. Often found growing in deep shade, it features a slender trunk and a crown of glossy, dark green foliage with pinkish emergent spears. Its subtle beauty and tolerance for low light make it ideal for shaded gardens and interior landscapes.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing understory palm
Height: 6–8 ft in cultivation; up to 10 ft in habitat
Trunk: Slender, brown, 2–5 cm diameter; often subterranean or creeping
Leaves: Simple or bifid; up to 3 ft long and 1 ft wide; dark green above, lighter beneath; pinkish emergent spear
Petiole: Unarmed; short and fibrous
Inflorescence: Orange to brown; 3–10 branches with longitudinal rows of flower pits
Fruit: Ovoid, black at maturity; ~1 cm long
Ecology: Native to lowland rainforests below 500 m elevation; found in Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Guatemala2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Partial to deep shade
Watering: Sparingly; prefers minimal but consistent moisture
Soil: Fast-draining, humus-rich loam
Temperature: Hardy to 36°F (2°C); ideal range 70–85°F (21–29°C)
Humidity: High; thrives in rainforest conditions
Propagation: By seed; germination in 4–6 weeks at 82–90°F
Tolerance: Sensitive to drought, wind, and salt; tolerates deep shade
 
Landscape Use Ideal for shaded tropical gardens, terrariums, and interior atriums. Pairs well with Chamaedorea metallica, Anthurium crystallinum, and Calathea warscewiczii.