Nannorrhops ritchiana Silver

Nannorrhops ritchiana Silver, known as the Mazari Palm, is sometimes called the Iranian Palm due to its origins. It is an exceptional and paradoxical plant, both extremely resistant and very sensitive to its environment. It slowly devleops a trunk that sags and branches over time, while giving birth to small shoots. Its rigid fronds, carried by a petiole whose base emerges from an orange wool, stand upright like large vertical silver fans. In open ground, Nannorrhops cannot tolerate wet, humid, and cold climates. They are, however, excellent plants for exotic gardens with warm climates and arid zones, as evidenced by the two imposing specimens introduced in 1871 at the Thuret Botanical Garden located near Antibes.

Nannorrhops ritchiana (synonym Chamaerops ritchieana, Nannorrhops naudeniana) belongs to the Arecaceae family. The name of the genus comes from the Greek nannos meaning 'dwarf', and rhops meaning 'shrub'. This refers to the plant's habit in its original environment. It is native to semi-desert areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, and grows up to 1800m (5905ft) altitude, where it experiences cold winters and is regularly covered in snow. This palm can slowly reach a height of 10 to 12m (33 to 39ft). It is carried by one or more thick, straight, massive false trunks (stipes), sometimes reaching 25cm (10in) in diameter. The grey trunks bear the remains of dried old leaves. Throughout its growth, the trunk sags at the base and regularly divides in two at its tip, producing what are called dichotomous branches. Its branches form new trunks, which can have the remains of the old split petioles. The foliage is arranged in terminal crowns at the end of each trunk, and can eventually reach a span of 6m (20ft). Each crown consists of 10 to 20 slightly palmate leaves, arranged in a fan around a central axis. Silver's leaves measure 70cm (28in) to 1m (3ft) wide. They have a beautiful silver-grey colour. The lower surface is slightly glaucous. They are divided into 30 rigid segments and are carried by a petiole up to 1m (3ft) long, covered at its base with an orange fibre that resembles felted wool.

A spectacular flowering occurs on very old individuals. Each crown of fronds is semelparous, meaning it dies after flowering. However, it is replaced, on the same trunk, by a new crown. The branched inflorescence slowly emerges from the heart of the mature crown and can measure 2m (7ft) long. It bears a large quantity of cream-white flowers that will give birth, in favourable climates, to round brown fruits, each containing a round brown seed 1 to 1.5cm (1in) in diameter that germinates quite easily.

Highly appreciated as a specimen to be planted in isolation in coastal gardens, especially in dry and hot climates. Along with Chamaerops hystrix and Chamaerops humilis, Nannorrhops ritchiana Silver is one of the hardiest ornamental palm species in theory. This factor actually depends a lot on soil drainage and ambient humidity. Indispensable and prestigious in mild climates, it can also be grown elsewhere in a large container, which can be stored indoors during winter in a cool, bright and airy place, with a dry atmosphere. It will be superb when planted near a doorway, on either side of a gate, or planted in isolation. Like Jubaea chilensis, Eucalyptus and large mimosa trees, it forms the typical backdrop of exotic gardens. Enthusiasts of sculptural plants can plant it with the Blue Palm of Mexico (Brahea armata), Siberian Nolina, Agave ovatifolia, Dasylirion wheeleri, Yucca rigida, and other plants that are well adapted to arid conditions.

Nannorrhops ritchiana is successfully cultivated in several places around the world and in different climates such as those of Florida, California, Texas, Italy, France, and Venezuela, which gives a good indication of its bioclimatic preferences.