I would be truly grateful if you could tell me what the name of this spectacular plant is. I bought it in Sri Lanka when the globose stem was the size of a table-tennis ball, and now, five years later, the stem is about 21cm in diametre. The little roadside stall I bought it from said the plant was originally from Holland, which may or may not have been true.They said it grows to be 2 metres across in 20 years, which may be true;it doubles in size every year. The plant is unbranced, I could say, although the leaves rise out of the centre,and create a central stem-like spike to support the innermost leaves, a bit like some globose palm trees. The leaves are very long, narrow and serrated. The plant loves sunshine and doesn't need a lot of water.The stem itself is silvery grey,and the leaves are pale green and about 2cm at the base, over half a meter long and mildly serrated. Do you know what my plant is called?
Welcome egoddard04. Looks like Beaucarnea recurvata. Common name Ponytail palm. ( However, it not a palm at all!) Quote from wiki...."The ponytail palm is native to the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and San Luis Potosà in eastern Mexico." http://www.google.co.uk/images?q=Be...&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1247&bih=496 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaucarnea_recurvata
Thank you Silver Surfer It does indeed look a lot like the ponytail palm. I appreciate the links. egoddard
