Diplothemium
(from diploos, double, and thema, a sheath). ORD. Palmae. Very noble Palms, either almost stemless, or developing a short ringed trunk. Flowers monoecious, rather large. Leaves pinnate, with 1inear segments, silvery-white underneath. They thrive in a compost of two parts rich loam, one of peat, and one of sand. Increased by seeds. These Palms have been recommended for sub-tropical gardening, for which purpose, if well hardened off, they form excellent subjects.
D. caudescens (stemmed).* l. 2ft. to 6ft. in length, pinnate; pinnae from 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. in length, about 1in. broad, with a bifid point, somewhat clustered together; upper surface dark shining green, of a very beautiful silvery - whiteness beneath. h. 10ft. Brazil, 1847. Described as being one of the handsomest palms in cultivation. SYN. Ceroxylon niveum. D. maritimum (sea). l. pinnate, with a more ovate out1ine than the foregoing; the pinnae are also closer together, 10in. to 12in. in length, and about 1in. broad; deep green above, silvery-grey below. h. 10ft. Brazil, 1823. The other two species are: campestre and littorale.