MANILA PALM
Adonidia merrillii
FAMILY Arecaceae
SYNONYMS
Veitchia merrillii
ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES
CHRISTMAS PALM
See: all Adonidia
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by M, Ritter, J. Yost, C. Stubler, W. Mark, J. Reimer, M. Ritter
GENERAL INFO
This is one of Hawai‘i s (and the world's) most widely grown palms, whose common name comes from the fact that its bright red fruit mature around Christmas time. Christmas or Manila palm is a small palm adaptable for many horticultural applications on the islands. Adonidia merrillii has no HPWRA (Hawai‘i Pacific Weed Risk Assessment) score.
Native range: PhilippinesHorticultural use: Specimen or Container or Street TreeEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: This palm is native to Borneo and the Philippines, where it is used medicinally to treat diarrhea and indigestion. The seeds are chewed as a replacement when betel nut is unavailable . It is commonly used in ornamental landscaping throughout the tropics. (Abe & Ohtani, 2013) Citations Page
Native range: PhilippinesHorticultural use: Specimen or Container or Street TreeEthnobotanical Info / Tree Use: This palm is native to Borneo and the Philippines, where it is used medicinally to treat diarrhea and indigestion. The seeds are chewed as a replacement when betel nut is unavailable . It is commonly used in ornamental landscaping throughout the tropics. (Abe & Ohtani, 2013) Citations Page
TREE CHARACTERISTICS
Tree Shape: PalmFoliage Type: EvergreenMaximum Tree Height: 30 feetCanopy Width: 10-15 feetGrowth Rate: ~12-36 in/yearLeaf Arrangement and Leaf Form: Alternate, Pinnately CompoundLeaf color: GreenFlowers: InconspicuousFlower Color: YellowFlower Time: SummerFruit: Red DrupeFruiting time: WinterBark Color: Gray, Rough, Smooth
SITE CONDITIONS
Recommended Planting Area: 4' to 7'Water Use Rating: MediumSunset Climate Zone: H1, H2Shade Tolerance: NoUSDA Hardiness Zone: 10, 11Soil Texture: Loam or Sand or ClaySoil pH: Acidic to Alkaline
CONSIDERATIONS
Root Damage Potential: LowDisease and Pest susceptibility: Lethal Yellowing Disease in Lee County Florida. and ScalesUtility Friendly: NoWCISA Appraisal: Use BTF, $/BTF, Approx. cross sectional area not applicable
External Resources
CITE THIS TREE
"SelecTree. UFEI. "Adonidia merrillii Tree Record." 1995-2025. Cal
Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. Accessed on Jun 14, 2025."
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1449 >
< https://selectree.calpoly.edu/tree-detail/1449 >
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