PACSOA - Roystonea regia

Palms

Roystonea regia

Synonymy:
R. elata
Common Names:
Cuban Royal Palm
Distribution & Habitat:
Rainforest of Cuba and Honduras, and southern Florida. Formerly, the Florida population was regarded as of a separate species, R. elata , but that determination is no longer widely accepted. This palm is very rare in the United States, occurring only in the Florida Everglades and in a few swamps to the west, where it is sparse but conspicuous owing to its stature.
Description:
Large attractive palm to about 20m, with a very solid trunk. Slightly plumose leaves.
General:
This is quite a popular palm, and often grown in suburban gardens. Due to their size, however, this isn't recommended, since once the palm gains size, the falling leaves can be a hazard, both to the gardener, and any unfortunate plants which happen to be underneath it. And once they attain a reasonable size, they are very difficult (and expensive), to remove.
Recommended however, for parks and driveways, etc, wherever a large stately looking palm is required.
Culture:
Requires well drained soil, in a full sun position. Fast grower.

Figure 1. A footpath planting of R. regia .

Figure 2. R. regia in a group planting.
Figure 3. An older plant of R. regia .

Figure 4. R. regia at sundown, at Royal Palm Hammock,
Paradise Key, Everglades National Park, Florida.

Figure 5. Stand of R. regia under a stormy sky, Paradise Key, Everglades National Park, Florida.

Contributed by: Gaston Torres Vera (Figure 1&3)
Stan Walkley (Figure 2)
Dr. Stevens Heckscher (Figure 4&5)

For further information try
VPE PALM
Web

Synonymy: R. elata Common Names: Cuban Royal Palm Distribution & Habitat: Rainforest of Cuba and Honduras, and southern Florida. Formerly, the Florida population was regarded as of a separate species, R. elata , but that determination is no longer widely accepted. This palm is very rare in the United States, occurring only in the Florida Everglades and in a few swamps to the west, where it is sparse but conspicuous owing to its stature. Description: Large attractive palm to about 20m, with a very solid trunk. Slightly plumose leaves. General: This is quite a popular palm, and often grown in suburban gardens. Due to their size, however, this isn't recommended, since once the palm gains size, the falling leaves can be a hazard, both to the gardener, and any unfortunate plants which happen to be underneath it. And once they attain a reasonable size, they are very difficult (and expensive), to remove. Recommended however, for parks and driveways, etc, wherever a large stately looking palm is required. Culture: Requires well drained soil, in a full sun position. Fast grower.	Figure 1. A footpath planting of R. regia .

Figure 2. R. regia in a group planting.	Figure 3. An older plant of R. regia .

Figure 4. R. regia at sundown, at Royal Palm Hammock, Paradise Key, Everglades National Park, Florida.

Contributed by:	Gaston Torres Vera (Figure 1&3)
	Stan Walkley (Figure 2)
	Dr. Stevens Heckscher (Figure 4&5)