Cyrtostachys renda aka Lipstick Palm

Cyrtostachys renda, also known as the red sealing wax palm or lipstick palm, is a tropical palm native to Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo in Indonesia. It is the only species of the Cyrtostachys genus found to the west of the Wallace Line, a boundary separating Asian and Wallacean biogeographic realms. The name "Cyrtostachys renda" is derived from the Greek words "cyrto-" meaning bent or curved, "stachys" meaning "an ear of grain," and the Malayan Aboriginal word "renda" for palm. This ornamental plant is highly sought after for its vibrant red crownshafts and leaf sheaths. Although it is not the source of sealing wax, it earned its name due to the resemblance of its color to the wax used to seal letters and envelopes. Cyrtostachys renda features multiple narrow, upright, grey-green stems topped with shuttlecock-shaped, grey-green leaves that can reach up to 1.5 meters in length. The leaves have bright red bases and midribs. Mature specimens can produce sprays of small green flowers. In its natural habitat, the lipstick palm thrives in swampy rainforest areas of the Malaysian peninsula, Indonesia, and Borneo. Its glossy scarlet red crown shafts and leaf stalks add a stunning accent and contrast to landscapes and indoor spaces. The palm grows to a height of 12-15 feet and has pinnate leaves that can reach 4-5 feet in length. The upper side of the leaves is deep green, while the underside is gray-green. During summer, small greenish-white flowers bloom in panicles, eventually giving way to small black fruits. The genus name "Cyrtostachys" combines the Greek words "kyrtos" meaning arched and "stachys" meaning ear of corn or spike, referring to the curved flower spike of the palm.