Adjacent and Remote Germination
Palm seeds will germinate in one of two ways, Adjacent or Remote Germination.
In Adjacent Germination, the seedling axis develops adjacent to the seed. The Cotyledon will grow out a small ways, forming a "Button" From this, the seedling stem will form, ( Plumule) and
Adventitious roots will develop. ( Adventitious roots are the true roots of a Palm, they form at the root initiation zone located at the bottom of the stem - sometimes this zone does extend
higher, as in the case of the stilt root palms )
Occasionally, seedling roots, ( Radicles ), are produced in adjacent germinations, these are generally short lived and soon replaced by Adventitious roots.
Remote Germination
With Remote Germination, the seedling axis develops remotely from the seed. ( With Bismarckia nobilis and others, this can be up to a 12" distance ) The first structure to emerge from the seed is the Cotyledonary petiole, this grows down into the soil and forms a " Bulge", from here is where the seedling stem, ( Plumule), and seedling root, ( Radicle ), will form. With remote germination, the Radicle will persist for some time, often supplementing Adventitious root growth.
Some Palms that exhibit Adjacent Germination,
Cocos nucifera
Dypsis decaryi
Archontophoenix alexandrae
Salacca wallichiana
Butia capitata
Some Palms that exhibit Remote Germination,
Chamaerops humilis
Phoenix canariensis
Livistona chinensis
Sabal palmetto
Washingtonia robusta
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