Queen Palm

Common name(s): Queen Palm

Scientific name: Syagrus romanzoffiana

Plant family: ARECACEAE

Origin: South America

Description: Tropical palm. Single tall trunk with feather like long palm fronds. Produces fruit in summer, long stalks with orange, fleshy fruit. On occasion, the falling fruit may sprout and in time one palm may within several years look like a large cluster.

Growing Conditions: Planted in gardens for the graceful palm fronds, adaptable sandy soils. Can grow in temperate regions that do not freeze for long periods of time. Adapted to salt winds and drought tolerant. Fast growing. Grows up to 40 feet. Best in full sun with good air flow. This popular landscape palm is planted from California to Florida. Grows from Central to South Florida.

Wildlife: Fleshy fruit used by birds and mammals. In South Florida both mammals and birds distribute fruit through out and in many cases into wilderness areas such as Everglades and adjacent wetlands.

Relation to Nehrling Gardens:

Location in Gardens: The Gardens had two palms up to 2022 but since have died from disease.

Additional Information: In some areas of South Florida this palm is considered to be invasive. In Central Florida we do not see this issue at this time (2022). Fertilize once or twice a year with a palm fertilizer, minor elements and slow release. In planting in sandy soil, minor elements may be low and the palm fronds may show yellowing or frizzling.

1. Potassium deficiency: tips of fronds frizzle
2. Magnesium deficiency: base of frond my frizzle
3. Iron deficiency: leaves may turn all yellow

Do not prune palms too often. It is best to only take off the dead, brown palm fronds. When pruning palms always sanitize your cutter. Dip the pruner in a Lysol or vinegar solution to prevent the transmission of fungus or bacteria from another plant. Queen Palms may be affected by disease such as: Ganoderma, Butt Rot or Fusarium fungus: leaf wilt.

 

 

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