Palms For California

Pronunciation: sigh-AH-grus roe-mun-zoff-ee-ANN-uh

Common Name: Queen Palm

Syagrus romanzoffiana may be one of the more overplanted palms in California, but a well grown Queen Palm can still be an impressive specimen palm. The problem is mass planted landscape palms are often not cared for well enough and they end up spindly, often over-pruned, anemic plants that are more eye-sores than gorgeous trees. They are among the hardiest of the pinnate palms, and one of the fastest growing of all palms in California, so their frequent use is understandable. This Brazilian native deserves better treatment is all.

Synonyms: Arecastrum romanzoffiana; Cocos plumosa

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-20 leaves Height: 65' Trunk: single; concrete-like; subtly ringed with rings being visible depressions in trunk; 12"-16" Crownshaft: none Spread: 12'-20' Leaf Description: pinnate; plumose; 8'-16' long; deep green; arching Petiole/Leaf bases: 1'-2' long; unarmed; flat on top and rounded below; leaf bases rarely retained on trunk Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 4'-8' long, pendulous below crown of leaves; white flowers Fruit: 1.3" thick; spherical; green to orange when ripe Seed:3/4"-1" diameter, spherical, brown

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 22F Drought Tolerance: good Dry Heat Tolerance: good Wind Tolerance: good, except for desert winds Salt Tolerance: moderate Growth Rate: fast Soil Preference: very widely adaptable Light Requirement: full sun Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: source of palm 'weeds'; some potential for a variety of nutritional problems Transplants?: fairly good transplanter Indoor?: too light needy Availability: extremely commonly available