Queen Palm

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman

sigh-AG-rus  roe-mance-off-ee-AY-nah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Syagrus is an ancient Latin name for a palm (JON), probably ultimately derived from Latin syag-rus, for wild pig. (BA1). The specific epithet commemorates Count N. P. Romanzoff, a Russian nobleman (JON).

Synonym: Arecastrum romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc., Cocos plumosa Hook.

Natural range: Brazil to Argentina (BA2). Monsoonal forests, swampy areas (RI2)

Recognition: Large, single-trunked palm with no crownshaft, and with feathery pinnate leaves having drooping leaflets. The fruits are orange and about the size of a large olive.

Landscape uses: One of the most-used South Florida palms, being easily propagated, fast-growing, forgiving of diverse conditions, and readily transplanted. In addition to being boringly over-used, Queen Palms have problems. On alkaline soil they are prone to manganese deficiency, causing distortion of the young leaves known as frizzletop. MEE reports them to topple in strong winds, although this species seems to have come through the 2004/5 hurricanes adequately. It is short-lived (BA2), and produces large quantities of messy fruit. As this is being written (Summer 2007) a Fusarium fungsal disease is impacting this species. http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/palm_prod/pdfs/New-Disease-Queen-Palms-Mexican-Fan-Palms-July.pdf.

     Cold tolerance is variable, depending on the cultivar and origin of the stock (RI2).

Notes: Arikury Palm (Syagrus schizophylla) is a smaller, spine-bearing species. Contrary to BR1, it has pinnate, not palmate leaves. Its black leaf bases wrap around the trunk.)  See Butia for information on hybrids with this genus. Germination occurs in 2-4 months (ELL).