Palm ID Please

Can someone tell me what type of Palm this is? I think its a Parlor but I'm not sure.

This was my mother's plant. She kept on her covered patio. She recently got very sick and did not water her plants for weeks before I realized it. She said she just couldn't do it and needed help. I took several of her plants home.. Most of them I knew what to do to care for/save them. This one... I just had to play it by ear. To me, it still looks rough but it does look much better. The soil is not dry as it looks. I saw that the pic looked that way and went back, stuck my finger in it to be sure..

The foliage, though growing and putting out new growth, still looks dry to me..

Can someone please help?

This message was edited Oct 29, 2009 9:06 AM

Looks like a Chamaedorea. Either Chamaedorea elegans, Parlor Palm, or Chamaedorea cataracterum, Cat Palm.
Can you show a close-up of the base of the palm?

Be happy to, but it will be later after I get home from work. Your help is appreciated.

Metrosideros,

Is this what you need to help ID?

another...

Hi Daisy, I believe it is Chamaedorea cataractarum, Cat Palm, as the plant looks like it is dividing into multiple stems, from the older plant.

The Parlor Palm, Chamaedorea elegans, is a single stemmed palm, although they are often sold with several plants in a pot, to give it a fuller look.

Definitely looks like Chamaedorea cataractarum. They like a lot of water. In their natural habitat they often grow in stream beds and spend some time under water.

That would certainly explain why no matter what I have done to it the foliage still looks dry... Would it be reasonable to water it well and let is sit in a saucer with the remaining water, changing out the water as needed?

Hey Daisy, it would be best to water it freely, but don't leave it sitting in standing water.

The palm does well here with 200 inches of rain per year, but it is well drained.

I understand. I thank you so much...

That's right. A lot of tropical plants go through deluges and sit in or under water for long periods. But the water is moving and doesn't stagnate. After the rains stop the water usually drains off quite quickly. And rain water has a lot of oxygen in it, whereas tap water doesn't.

You guys are great.. I am so happy I found Daves Garden and all the wonderful kind sharing people here.

I will let you know in a few weeks how it is doing after I make the change in watering habits. I told Mom she could have it back soon, but I may change my mind..at least until it is completely happy.