Sophy Moody and the Friend of Man

The palm, vast in species and range as it is, has in turn encouraged a sizable literature devoted to its unique qualities. While many outstanding horticultural studies and landscape guides treat the palm, one book stands out among all, Sophy Moody's 1864 monograph The Palm Tree, published by Thomas Nelson and Sons in Edinburgh.

Part a cultural history of palm trees, part Biblical typology, part economic inventory, Moody's book undertakes to celebrate the palm, as she puts it, as "Servant of God and Friend of Man." This translates as commentary on the palm as religious symbol and literary trope as well as discussion of its botanical qualities, geographical situation, and practical uses.

It is a book for general readers, Moody explains in her preface. Of her efforts, she writes, "She wishes simply to unfold one green leaf from Nature's glorious book, and to tempt them on, perhaps, to explore for themselves the countless wonders of the vegetable world."

The temptation worked on me. The Palm Tree provides a fascinating look at palms through a complex mid-Victorian lens.

Of its author, I have so far been able to learn very little. Sophy Moody authored at least two other works: What is Your Name: A Popular Account of the Meanings and Derivations of Christian Names, published in 1863 and The Fairy Tree; or, Stories from Far and Near, published in 1872. The former seems to be a kind of Victorian baby name book, while the later is a vaguely Kiplingesque romp around the Raj for young people.

There are many other things that can be said about The Palm Tree, and I will probably say a few of them later.

Palms for Southern California

Those interested in palms can find a wealth of published information that will help them better understand these remarkable plants. Focusing on plant identification can be a fun and useful way to start. Our staff has been enjoying Geoff Stein's Palms for Southern California: A Quick Reference Guide.

As the subtitle suggests, Stein's guide does not go into the detail that more exhaustive texts on palms explore. Instead it provides a quick overview of each plant, with information on common and botanical names; morphology of trunk, leaves and canopy spread; growing preferences like water needs, sun exposure, temperature and hardiness, and dry heat. It also characterizes availability, status in the wild, and native habitat, and rates each palm for ease of cultivation. Stein also provides a silhouette sketch of each palm that gives a good idea of basic form. Stein's intricate line drawings of several notable palms make an attractive cover design.

Palms for Southern California is available through the Palm Society of Southern California. At Ellis Farms it is one of our go-to reference books.