Adonidia is a small genus of flowering palms in the family Arecaceae (order Arecales), native to the Philippines and Borneo. The genus was originally described in 1919, spent several decades (1957–2008) classified under Veitchia, and was restored to its own genus following further study. It currently includes three recognized species, the best known being Adonidia merrillii, commonly called the Manila palm or Christmas palm.
Adonidia palms are typically small to medium-sized, solitary palms with slender trunks. A. merrillii normally reaches about 8 m (25 ft) in height, though some specimens have exceeded 12 m (40 ft). Young plants carry 5–7 fronds, gradually building a fuller crown of 10–12 fronds at maturity. The fruits ripen to a bright scarlet, often during the winter months, giving the Christmas palm its common name.
The genus is widely cultivated as an ornamental. A. merrillii is one of the most common landscape palms in southern Florida and is planted extensively in tropical and subtropical settings worldwide, including shopping malls, hotels, and casinos. It adapts well to containers and indoor conditions, tolerates full sun to partial shade, and is self-pruning with minimal maintenance requirements. It is not cold-hardy and its perennial outdoor use is limited to frost-free zones.
Taxonomy
The genus was originally described in 1919, then transferred to Veitchia in 1957. A 2008 revision restored Adonidia as a distinct genus. The palm Manjekia maturbongsii was first described as Adonidia maturbongsii in 2012 before being moved to its own genus in 2014. As of 2025, three species are recognized: A. merrillii, A. dransfieldii (described 2015, native to Sabah, Borneo), and A. zibabaoa (found 2013, identified 2025).
Distribution
The genus is native to the Philippines and Borneo. Adonidia merrillii is endemic to the Philippines (Palawan and Danjugan Island) and has been widely introduced and naturalized in the West Indies and Florida. A. dransfieldii is native to Sabah in Borneo.
Cultivation
Adonidia palms are among the most commonly planted ornamental palms worldwide. A. merrillii thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to landscaping, container growing, and indoor environments such as hotels, casinos, and shopping malls. It tolerates heavy rainfall and short droughts but is sensitive to sea salt and cold; outdoor cultivation is limited to frost-free zones. In landscaping, specimens are often planted in clusters of 2–4, with young palms trained to arch outward to reduce crown competition, since the palm is naturally solitary. The species is self-pruning and requires little maintenance.
Cultural Uses
The fruits of Adonidia merrillii are sometimes used as a substitute for betel nut (Areca catechu) in preparing buyo for chewing, a traditional practice in the Philippines.
