Royal Palm

(Cuban Royal Palm, Florida Royal Palm)

Roystonea regia (Kunth) O. F. Cook 

roy-STONE-ee-ah REGE-ee-ah, and ee-LAY-tah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name for General Roy Stone. Regia means royal. Elata means tall (STE).

Synonymy: Many authorities have distinguished between “Cuban Royal Palms” as a species apart from “Florida Royal Palms,” R. elata (W. Bartram) F. Harper. We have followed contemporary taxonomists (e.g. WU1, FAI) in recognizing just one species, properly called R. regia, with “R. elata” in synonymy.

Natural ranges: Mesoamerica, Caribbean, Collier and Dade counties, Florida (with historic presence in Paynes Prairie near Gainesville). Florida specimens grow naturally in low swampy places. Also in rainforest edges, savannas, and along streams (RI2)

Recognition: These are among the largest palms in Florida. They are single-trunked, straight-trunked, pinnate-leaved trees with swollen bases and often with bulges in the trunk (see key below). The following key is based largely on data in JON, MEE:

1. Trunk straight or narrowing above the swollen base, gray with age; inflorescences longer than wide; leaflets without ribs or with inconspicuous ribs flanking the midrib; fruit round… “R. elata” (when interpreted as a species apart from R. regia).

1. Trunk bulging above the swollen base, gray or white with age; inflorescences about as long as wide; leaflets with conspicuous ribs flanking the midrib; fruit oblong…R. regia (in the narrow sense).

Landscape uses: Tall, straight, and neat, these are about as stately as palms come, and are used accordingly, often in rows to line roads and avenues, and as specimen trees in large spaces. The flowers are fragrant. The fruits are irritating, and the fallen leaves are gigantic. UFST574 notes tolerance of urban conditions. Cuban Royal Palms come from more upland habitats and thus are more drought tolerant than Florida Royal Palms (MEE). For most Roystoneas, ELL gives 2-3 months for germination.