looking for a positive identification of this palm in the Plant ID forum

Aug 10, 2021 9:41 AM CST

Georgetown, MA

Hello,
I have this palm which has been growing in my library for quite some time. It's currently outside while I try to treat it for spider mites. I have always assumed it is a parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans), but now I'm not sure. A gardener over at GardenWeb suggested that it might also be cat palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum).

I can find written descriptions of the two plants, but no photos comparing the details of the two. Can anyone familiar with these plants tell me what this is? Thanks very much!

| Quote | Post #2572239 (1)

DaisyI

Aug 10, 2021 11:58 AM CST

Name: Daisy I
Reno, Nv (Zone 6b)
Not all who wander are lost

I agree with the gardener on GardenWeb, your palm is Chamaedorea cataractarum because its suckering. Chamaedorea elegans is a solitary growing plant. So if that is just one palm with one root system, its a Cat Palm.

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| Quote | Post #2572324 (2)

purpleinopp

Aug 10, 2021 12:04 PM CST

Name: Tiffany purpleinopp
Opp, AL ✌️👍☼🌷⚘� (Zone 8b)

Hi again! LOL!

You can find some pics on this site:
Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Cat Palm (Chamaedorea cataractarum)

These sites might have something helpful:
https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki...
https://www.florida-palm-trees...
http://www.palmidentifier.com/

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| Quote | Post #2572331 (3)

plantladylin

Aug 10, 2021 2:48 PM CST

Name: Lin Vosbury
Sebastian, Florida (Zone 10a)

C. elegans (Parlor Palm) is a single trunked palm. Nurseries often plant numerous plants together for a fuller appearance.

C. cataractarum (Cat Palm) is a clump forming palm.

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| Quote | Post #2572444 (4)