Heterospathe elata
 
Common Names Sagisi Palm, Palma Brava
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A slender, solitary palm native to lowland rainforests across the Philippines, Micronesia, and the Moluccas, Heterospathe elata is prized for its graceful, arching fronds and vivid bronze new growth. It exhibits saxophone-style root heels and thrives in humid, shaded gardens. Though slow-growing at first, it accelerates once trunked and becomes a striking vertical accent in tropical landscapes.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; saxophone-style heel; moderate growth once established
Height: Up to 50 ft (15 m) in habitat; 15–25 ft (4.5–7.5 m) in cultivation
Trunk: Slender; gray; smooth; heel should remain partially exposed
Leaves: Pinnate; arching; up to 10 ft (3 m) long; 60+ pairs of narrow, tapering leaflets; bronze emergent flush
Inflorescence: Interfoliar; hidden among leaves; clusters of unisexual flowers
Fruit: White; spherical; ~0.3 in (0.75 cm) diameter; thin-walled
Ecology: Native to lowland tropical forests; shade-tolerant; bird-dispersed seeds
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Partial shade to filtered light
Watering: Moderate to high; prefers consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-drained; slightly acidic to neutral
Temperature: Hardy to ~35°F (1.5°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: High
Propagation: By seed; slow initial growth
Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical rainforest gardens, shade houses, and collectors of saxophone-rooted palms. Pairs well with Pinanga maculata, Licuala ramsayi, and Zingiber spectabile.