Palm Tree Species

Species of palm trees have a Rich Cultural Meaning, now & in history, throughout the world. Particularly in the tropics. Many cultures use their fruit, as table food or many times as animal feed. Middle Eastern countries, in particular have deep cultural implications regarding palm tree species. 

Since they're often associated with tropical climates, they evoke Palmy Beach Sunsets in travel plans, art or memories!

Liking this Georgia Sunset Memory!

Probably the type that initially comes to mind for palm trees. They grow on a single trunk, with no branching. The leaves/fronds grow right out from the top of the trunk. 

• Most get by with minimal maintenance when established.
• Except they're more vulnerable to damage from high winds, such as with hurricanes.
• They succeed in multiple types of climates.

They grow in clusters. Meaning these palm tree species have multiple trunks growing from the single original base. And then spreading further with newer trunks.

• They're popular since they have a lush appearance.
• Maintenance might include pruning to ensure better growth to prevent overcrowding.
• Most of them prefer warm, humid climates.

The Licuala spinosa palm tree species
A Clumping Palm

Palm species have two basic types of fronds, though there are some subcategories. But knowing these is basic to Palm Tree Identification:

Beautifully small ornamental stunner.

• Endemic to Malaysian rainforest hills, growing beneath taller plants. Thus needs shady areas.
• Red fruits grow from flowers off the striped crownshaft.

Although this is called an Areca Palm, it's actually not in the Areca genus as you can see with the genus name: Dypsis. It's also known as Golden Cane palm tree & Butterfly Palm. 

• But like Areca palms, they also have pinnate leaves & a crownshaft. 
• It can reach 40' tall. Yet, some are potted for indoors when young.

Potted Areca-Like Palm

Native to Eastern Queensland & New South Wales Rainforests. Locally called Southern Lawyer Cane. Also called Wait-A-While.

• It's a clustering palm, but grows via the climbing method. As do most of the Calamus genera of palm tree species. Meaning they climb up forest vegetation, like a vine.
• They're armed with spines, attaching to plants to reach upward canopies.
• The muelleri is probably the most cold-hardy of all the Calami rattans.

This Armed Climbing Palm Growing
In Nightcap National Park, NSW, Australia

Common names are Neanthe Bella or Parlor Palm Tree. Did you think it's a good inside plant? You're right! Probably the most popular palm tree species for potting. It tolerates shady spots well.

• Grows upright inflorescences with small yellow flowers. That adds to its attraction.
• Some use it outdoors as a tall groundcover!

Vintage Artwork from 1878

Sometimes called the Mexican Parlor Palm or Hardy Parlour Palm. 

• Endemic to oak forest foothill climes of northeastern Mexico. Helping it get that hardy endurance. Known for survival in Zones 8-11.
• Primarily a seemingly trunkless palm, with its stem beneath the earth. Can be used as ground cover. 
• Sometimes it's solitary.

Commonly called Dwarf Coconut Palm, Malayan Dwarf Coconut Palm or Pygmy Coconut. Hardy to Zones 10b-11.

• Coconut fruits are edible, getting up to 12" diameter.
• The Malayan strain of the Coconut Palm Tree was developed to be resistant to lethal yellowing disease.

It's a Dwarf Coconut Palm
Does This Seem Small to You?

Known as Lipstick Palm, Sealing Wax Palm, Maharajah Palm & Pinang Rajah. 

• A colorful contrast makes this a brilliant palm tree species specimen. The fronds' petioles, bases & crownshaft are a dazzling glossy red. Feathery stiff leaflets are dark green offsetting against the stems.
• Natural to swampy areas of southeast Asia.
• Not the easiest to grow outdoors. Needs much water & tropical warmth. Easiest growing: potted as an Indoor Palm.

Or Would You Prefer Calling it the Maharajah Palm? We Enjoy the Lipstick Name Ourselves!
It's Overlooking a Delightful Small Waterway
At San Juan Botanical Garden in Puerto Rico

Known as the Triangle Palm. You'll discover why, because of the eye-catching triangular shape of its bright green fronds.

• Native to Madagascar's drier forest hills.
• Its trunk also has a distinctive rough texture. Covered with closely spaced grayish-brown old leaf bases.
• A popular landscaping palm in warm climates.

We Think You Now Know How it Got That Common Name!

12 palm tree species take in this genus description. Described by their bipinnate leaflets that resemble (to varying degrees) a fish's tail.

Caryota mitis: It's the ONE called the Fishtail Palm.

• Crams thickly out to 15' wide in clusters. With slender stems growing to 30' tall.
• Its leaflets are quite handsome, typical of the fishtail style.
• Grows relatively quickly, but needs regular watering. After all, its native to Southeast Asia & other nearby islands & countries.

Growing in a Thick Clump - and Impressive!

Called the Bottle Palm or Belly Palm. Small, unique palm species native to Indian Ocean's Mascarenes, east of Madagascar.

• Distinctive shape very noticeable at the trunk's bottom. Reminding you of a bottle or a beer belly! 
• Only gets about 10 feet max. Tiny white flowers bring small, red fruits.
• Has become so popular as an ornamental, sadly this handsome species is natively endangered. Because of trade sourcing from over-harvesting, plus natural habitat loss.

A Row of Bottle Palms at Maui Gardens, HI
It's Like They Come in Their Own Natural Planter!

Commonly called a Spindle Palm or Spindle Bottle Palm, with a stand-out appearance. This rare palm tree species is native to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

The smooth, gray trunk is reminiscent of a spindle: narrow at the bottom & top, swelling a bit in between. Above is a vividly green crownshaft.

• Grows to 20 feet tall. Small red fruit follows the tiny white flowers.
• It's been a very popular landscape plant. Because of that, is now endangered in the wild.
• One saving grace is the seeds easily germinate. And it's relatively hardy, yet slow-growing.

Cuban Royal Palm, or the iconically named Royal Palm.

• Solitary growth gets pretty quickly to 100 feet tall.
• Very light gray trunk's base is somewhat thicker than the upward circumference. Ending in a dark green tapering crownshaft. 
• Shoots tall inflorescences upwards, looking very impressive.

Cuban Royal Palms Scattered Around Marabu in Cuba

Queen Palm Trees natively grew in eastern South America.

• Their solitary style can get them up to 90' tall quite quickly! 
• Typically like Zones 9-11 best, with good sun & lots of watering. 
• Even grows easily from seed.

This Queen Palm Tree is Quite a Looker!

The popular, Bismarck Palm Tree is loved for the huge, silver-blue fan fronds. Endemic to Madagascar. Named for Germany's 1st chancellor, Ottovon Bismarck.

• Its impressive trunk gets up to 18" thick. Patterned with grayish-brown diamond-shaped leaf scars. 
• Warm climate (9b-11 Zones) Landscaping Planning often makes use of this palm tree species.
• Grows pretty quickly, & when established is relatively drought tolerant.

Placement of these Bismarck Palms was done Just Right!
Don't You Think?

Called the Mexican Dwarf Blue Palm or Sierra Madre Palm, since it's native to scrubby areas of Northeastern Mexico.

• Clustering growth in a "recumbent" manner, usually slowly sliding along the ground. 
• Its Palm Tree Species Fruits will remind you of olives. But they're not! Loves the sun, but not much water. Makes a nice groundcover, though tall for that, if allowing it to get to its 8 foot max.

Trying to Find the Trunk/Stem? No - It Isn't Visible!

Goes by European Fan Palm Tree or Mediterranean Fan Palm.

• Usually grows by clustering, spreading to 30 feet. Maxes about 20' high. 
• Can survive Zones 8-11. Not fussy outdoors, except doesn't like wet/humidity.

This Palm is Fairly Cold Hardy
Doesn't Want Much Rain Either!

The Chinese Fan Palm has fetching weepy styled segment tips to the fronds. 

• It's relatively short, slow growing, but easily managed. 
• Can range from tropics to temperate areas (with watchfulness). 
• The Livistona chinensis species is actually native to Japan, but also Taiwan.

Chinese Fan Palm At Cooktown Botanic Gardens, Queensland, Australia
Frond Segments Swooning Downward

Common names are Lady Palm, Bamboo Palm or Tall Lady Palm. 

• Naturally clustering out to 12' & get's 12' tall. Fronds grow thickly from almost the trunk's bottom. 
• It's known as an excellent potted palm.
• Outdoors it's easily managed uniquely as a palmy hedge, too!

Lady Palm Greets Guest Indoors
At the Ala Moana Hotel in Oahu, Hawaii