Dypsis decaryi
 
Common Names Triangle Palm, Three-Sided Palm, Neodypsis decaryi
 
Zones 10A–11
 
Native to southern Madagascar, Dypsis decaryi is a striking ornamental palm named for its unique triangular leaf arrangement. The fronds emerge in three vertical ranks spaced 120° apart, forming a sculptural silhouette that’s instantly recognizable. Though endangered in the wild, it’s widely cultivated for its drought tolerance and architectural beauty.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; moderate speed
Height: 25–30 ft (7–9 m); trunk diameter 12–20 in (30–50 cm)
Trunk: Stocky; smooth; gray; ringed with leaf scars
Crownshaft: Absent; overlapping leaf bases form triangular cross-section
Leaves: Pinnate; 8–10 ft (2.5–3 m) long; bluish-green; arching near tips
Inflorescence: Branched; up to 5 ft (1.5 m); pale yellow flowers emerge near leaf bases
Fruit: Round; green turning creamy-white or black; ~1 in (2.5 cm) diameter
Ecology: Endemic to Andohahela National Park; fewer than 1,000 wild individuals remain
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun; tolerates light shade
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained; sandy or loamy; avoid overwatering
Temperature: Hardy to ~30°F (–1°C); light frost may damage foliage
Humidity: Moderate to high
Propagation: By seed; germinates in 1–2 months
Tolerance: Wind- and heat-tolerant; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for xeric tropical gardens, sculptural focal points, and container specimens. Pairs well with Bismarckia nobilis, Beccariophoenix alfredii, and Hyophorbe lagenicaulis.