Hydriastele beguinii
 
Common Names Obi Island Palm
 
Zones 10B–11
 
A slender, solitary palm native to the Maluku Islands of Indonesia, Hydriastele beguinii is prized for its waxy green crownshaft, recurved glossy leaves, and wedge-shaped terminal leaflets. Formerly classified as Siphokentia beguinii, it thrives in humid, shaded gardens and makes an elegant accent in tropical landscapes or interiors. Its slow juvenile phase gives way to moderate growth once trunked, with ornamental foliage that remains unsplit until maturity.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; upright; moderate growth
Height: 16–25 ft (5–8 m)
Trunk: Slender; green to gray; ringed; may form a saxophone-style heel
Crownshaft: Slim; waxy green to bluish-green
Leaves: Pinnate; recurved; up to 6 ft (2 m) long; leaflets glossy green, irregularly divided; terminal leaflets large and wedge-shaped
Inflorescence: Interfoliar; cream-white flowers in triads (1 female flanked by 2 males)
Fruit: Oblong; red when ripe; ~0.6 in (1.4 cm) long
Ecology: Native to lowland pluvial forests of the Maluku Archipelago; grows in shaded, moist understory
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Filtered light to partial shade; tolerates brighter light when mature
Watering: Moderate to high; prefers consistently moist soil
Soil: Rich, well-drained; humus-rich with added perlite or sand
Temperature: Hardy to ~35°F (2°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: High; misting recommended in dry environments
Propagation: By seed; germinates in 3–4 months at 75–80°F (24–26°C)
Tolerance: Not drought- or salt-tolerant; sensitive to cold and dry air
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical shade gardens, greenhouses, and collectors of Southeast Asian rainforest palms. Pairs well with Licuala grandis, Pinanga maculata, and Chamaedorea metallica.