Podococcus barteri: A comprehensive Growing Guide for Enthusiasts & Collectors.
Podococcus barteri
✓ MORE ADAPTABLE SPECIES
The better choice for cultivation between the two Podococcus species. Native to West African coastal and lowland rainforests with greater ecological tolerance. Shows promise for understory cultivation in tropical gardens.
1. Introduction
Habitat and Distribution, Native Continent
Podococcus barteri is native to the coastal and lowland rainforests of West Africa, with a distribution extending from Sierra Leone through Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and into western Cameroon. Unlike its congener P. acaulis, this species shows greater ecological amplitude, growing from sea level to 1,000 meters elevation in both primary and old secondary forests. It thrives in areas with 1,500-3,000mm annual rainfall and tolerates a brief dry season better than P. acaulis. The palm typically grows in forest understory but can persist in gaps and edges, showing remarkable adaptability to varying light conditions. It often forms dense colonies along streams and in swampy areas where the canopy is more open.
Native range: West African coastal forests
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Taxonomic Classification and Scientific Classification
Synonyms
- Podococcus acaulis var. barteri (G.Mann & H.Wendl.) A.Chev.
- Podococcus barteri var. barteri (autonym)
- Podococcus triloba Engl. & K.Krause
- Cocos barteri (G.Mann & H.Wendl.) Hook.f.
Common Names
- Barter's podococcus (English)
- Small-stemmed palm (English)
- Palmier de Barter (French)
- Ope (Yoruba - Nigeria)
- Ukpaka (Igbo - Nigeria)
- Alale (Ewe - Ghana/Togo)
Expansion in the World
Podococcus barteri has slightly better representation in cultivation than P. acaulis:
- Aburi Botanical Gardens, Ghana (in-situ)
- Botanical Garden of Entebbe, Uganda
- Limited presence in tropical African gardens
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (attempted)
- Not in European collections
- Occasionally offered by African plant collectors
- No established cultivation outside Africa
Better cultivation potential than P. acaulis due to greater ecological tolerance, but still extremely rare globally.
2. Biology and Physiology
Morphology
Trunk
P. barteri develops a short, slender trunk reaching 1-3 meters in height (rarely to 5 meters) with a diameter of 5-10cm. The trunk is covered with persistent, fibrous leaf bases giving it a rough, shaggy appearance. Unlike P. acaulis, this species clearly shows aerial trunk development, though it remains relatively short. The trunk often leans or curves, following light gaps in the forest canopy. Basal suckers are occasionally produced, especially if the main trunk is damaged.
Leaves
The crown consists of 6-12 pinnate leaves forming an open, spreading canopy. Leaves are smaller than P. acaulis, measuring 2-3.5 meters long including the 0.5-1 meter petiole. The rachis bears 30-50 leaflets per side, regularly arranged but held in slightly different planes. Leaflets are lanceolate, 30-50cm long and 3-6cm wide, bright green above and paler below. A key difference from P. acaulis is the smooth, unarmed petiole. New leaves emerge light green to yellowish, darkening with age.
Flower Systems
Like P. acaulis, P. barteri is dioecious with separate male and female plants. Inflorescences emerge among the leaves rather than at ground level, initially enclosed in 2-3 woody bracts. Male inflorescences are branched, 40-80cm long, pendulous, bearing numerous small white to cream flowers. Female inflorescences are shorter and more compact, 30-50cm long, held more erectly. Both sexes are fragrant, particularly in early morning. Flowering occurs throughout the year with peaks at the beginning and end of rainy seasons.
Life Cycle
P. barteri has a shorter life cycle than P. acaulis, estimated at 60-100 years:
- Germination to Seedling (0-3 years): Relatively faster establishment
- Juvenile Phase (3-10 years): Trunk development begins
- Sub-adult Phase (10-20 years): Rapid growth phase
- Adult Phase (20-70 years): Reproductive maturity
- Senescent Phase (70-100 years): Decline and death
First flowering occurs earlier than P. acaulis, typically at 15-20 years.
Specific Adaptations to Climate Conditions
- Light Plasticity: Tolerates wider range of light conditions
- Trunk Development: Allows reaching toward canopy gaps
- Seasonal Tolerance: Handles brief dry periods
- Colonial Growth: Forms dense stands via seed
- Riparian Preference: Often near water
- Secondary Forest Ability: Persists after disturbance
3. Reproduction and Propagation
Seed Reproduction
Seed Morphology and Diversity
P. barteri produces smaller, more numerous fruits than P. acaulis. Fruits are ovoid to ellipsoid, 3-5cm long and 2-3cm diameter, typically single-seeded. The epicarp is smooth, green ripening to orange or red; mesocarp is thin and slightly sweet; endocarp is hard but thinner than P. acaulis. Seeds are ovoid, 2-3cm long, with shallowly ruminate endosperm. Fresh seed weight is 3-8 grams. Higher genetic diversity exists due to larger populations and gene flow between colonies.
Detailed Seed Collection and Viability Testing
- More accessible than P. acaulis
- Fruits ripen year-round
- Orange/red color indicates ripeness
- Collect before wildlife consumption
Viability Pattern:
- Fresh viability: 90-95%
- Recalcitrant but less extreme
- One week: 75-80%
- Two weeks: 50-60%
- One month: 20-30%
- Six weeks: <10%
Germination Time
- First germination: 60-120 days
- Peak germination: 120-180 days
- Complete process: 240 days
- Success rate: 60-80%
Final Summary
Podococcus barteri represents the more adaptable and cultivation-friendly species within this rare African palm genus. Its development of a short aerial trunk, greater ecological flexibility, and tolerance for varying light conditions make it significantly easier to grow than the stemless P. acaulis. Native to West African coastal forests from Sierra Leone to Cameroon, this species demonstrates remarkable plasticity in its natural habitat, growing successfully in both deep forest understory and along forest edges.
The key advantages over P. acaulis include faster growth, earlier maturity (flowering at 15-20 years versus 20-30), better light tolerance, less stringent humidity requirements, and seeds that remain viable slightly longer. The presence of a trunk, even though short, provides significant cultivation advantages, allowing the crown to reach toward available light and reducing the risk of crown rot that plagues the ground-level P. acaulis.
Successful cultivation requires maintaining warm temperatures (above 15°C), high humidity (70-85%), consistent moisture without waterlogging, and appropriate shade levels that can be adjusted as the plant matures. The species responds well to rich, slightly acidic soils that mimic its forest floor origins. While still challenging, P. barteri offers realistic possibilities for cultivation in tropical and subtropical botanical gardens, conservatories, and carefully managed private collections.
For palm enthusiasts seeking to grow rare African species, P. barteri provides the best opportunity within the Podococcus genus. Its moderate size, attractive form, and relative adaptability make it a worthy addition to specialized collections. Success requires patience, attention to environmental conditions, and acceptance that this remains a slow-growing species. However, the reward is cultivating one of Africa's unique palm genera, contributing to ex-situ conservation while enjoying a genuinely rare botanical treasure. As climate-controlled cultivation techniques improve and more growers gain experience with this species, P. barteri may gradually become more available, though it will likely always remain a specialist's palm.
- More adaptable than P. acaulis
- Short trunk provides advantages
- Moderate growth rate for the genus
- Light tolerance from shade to partial sun
- Temperature minimum 15°C
- High humidity essential (70-85%)
- Zone 10b-11 cultivation only
- 60-80% germination success possible
- Flowers at 15-20 years
- Better candidate for cultivation