Kofa Palm Canyon

[Tom in Tucson]

After a recent trip to the Kofa Mountains (near the border between La Paz and Yuma counties), I decided this is the best forum to post some images.

The 1st is an image from '08

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This is as close as I dared to climb by myself (a 15ft. cliff is behind the rock)

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2 Nolina bigelovii near the main grove

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[Meangreen94z]

Nolina bigelovii growing straight out of a rock wall, and rock in general based on further viewing on iNaturalist. Good to know, that will probably be a method I attempt. Tom mentioned this Washingtonia population to me in the past and he is correct, based on pictures there is quite a variance. Some have filifera width trunks and others are narrow like a hybrid with the Mexican species Washingtonia robusta. The missing link? or It could just be an adaptation to the low light of the canyon.

Credit a-geoman

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[Paul S]

What a remarkable habitat!

Are there populations of robusta that far north that would enable hybridisation?

[Tom in Tucson]

What a remarkable habitat!

Are there populations of robusta that far north that would enable hybridisation?

Since you've asked, I want to elaborate a little. The known natural range of Washingtonia filifera is documented to be from the Sonoran desert in California, Arizona (questionable for the moment), and northern Baja California (BCN) (a sighting in northern Baja California Sur (BCS) is debatable). Incidentally the palms found near Catavina, BCN are composed of 3 species; Washingtonia filifera, Washingtonia robusta, and Brahea armata. Since that area has been a popular destination for many decades, the occurrence of W. robusta appears to be there through introduction by the local population. This species can only be naturally found in BCS, and in Nacapule Canyon Sonora. So the overwhelming evidence points to a separation of the 2 species, despite the fact that the majority of the Washingtonia palms found worldwide are hybrids ( "W. filibusta"). The characteristics that Meangreen pointed out, and the fact that this Arizona population has never been grown anywhere outside of it's isolated Kofa habitat, was the reason I returned to gather some seed for further study. I failed this time. but I intend to go back next year, and be better prepared for this somewhat arduous ascent.

[Gee.S]

I once collected some seed from the W. filifera pop at Castle Hot Springs. I didn't get a lot, but quickly realized the difficulty involved here for anyone less than 10 m tall.

[Tom in Tucson]

I once collected some seed from the W. filifera pop at Castle Hot Springs. I didn't get a lot, but quickly realized the difficulty involved here for anyone less than 10 m tall.

How have those seedling done from Castle Hot Springs? What is their age? Do you mind posting any images of the palms in their habitat, and of the seedlings?

[Gee.S]

I once collected some seed from the W. filifera pop at Castle Hot Springs. I didn't get a lot, but quickly realized the difficulty involved here for anyone less than 10 m tall.

How have those seedling done from Castle Hot Springs? What is their age? Do you mind posting any images of the palms in their habitat, and of the seedlings?

I didn't plant any, I was collecting for Tony Avent at Plant Delights.

[Tom in Tucson]

I once collected some seed from the W. filifera pop at Castle Hot Springs. I didn't get a lot, but quickly realized the difficulty involved here for anyone less than 10 m tall.

How have those seedling done from Castle Hot Springs? What is their age? Do you mind posting any images of the palms in their habitat, and of the seedlings?

I didn't plant any, I was collecting for Tony Avent at Plant Delights.

You have no photos? How long ago did you gather the seed? Do you know if Tony is still selling plants from your seed?

[Gee.S]

How have those seedling done from Castle Hot Springs? What is their age? Do you mind posting any images of the palms in their habitat, and of the seedlings?

I didn't plant any, I was collecting for Tony Avent at Plant Delights.

You have no photos? How long ago did you gather the seed? Do you know if Tony is still selling plants from your seed?

No idea, this was several years ago. There wasn't much seed I could reach. Less than 100 as I recall.

I've posted plenty of snaps of those palms here.