ENH1094
Palms for North Florida1 Edwin R. Duke and Gary W. Knox2
Palm (päm) n. Any of various chiefly tropical evergreen Predicting Cold Hardiness in Palms trees, shrubs or woody vines of the family Palmae (Areca- Palms suitable for northern Florida must be able to ceae), having unbranched trunks with a crown of pinnate withstand at least intermittent periods of below-freezing or palmate leaves having conspicuous parallel venation. weather. It is difficult to make generalizations about the [ME
Microclimates surrounding a particular plant can influence whether a palm will survive a particular cold spell. A plant sheltered by a building or other plants is more likely to survive than one that is exposed. The elevation of a location can also be a factor in a plant’s survival-cold air tends to accumulate in low-lying areas.
Finally, how successfully a palm can withstand cold is determined by the palm itself. Its age, height, hereditary dif- ferences selected out over time by environmental influences in its native habitat, and the overall health of the palm all Figure 1. Chinese fam palm, Livistona chinensis, is one of many cold- have an effect on a plant’s survival of many environmental hardy palms. Note spines on the leaf petiole. conditions, including cold. Credits: UF/IFAS
1. This document is ENH1094, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date February 2008. Revised March 2011 and April 2020. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
2. Edwin R. Duke, associate professor, Agricultural Teaching and Research, Florida A&M University, College of Agriculture and Food Science, Tallahassee, FL; and Gary W. Knox, Extension specialist and professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL 32351.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county’s UF/IFAS Extension office. U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. It would seem simple to predict a palm’s cold hardiness combined with heavy rainfall makes Florida’s soil low in by looking at a few variables regarding the palm’s native potassium content. habitat—is the palm native to the cooler northern or southern latitudes rather than nearer the equator? Is the Symptoms of potassium deficiency vary among palm palm native to higher altitudes?—however, some tropical species but typically begin with translucent yellow or species have been found to be somewhat hardy. orange “freckles” on the leaflets of the oldest leaves. As the symptoms progress, the freckles may be accompanied by Perhaps the best indicator of the potential cold hardiness of necrotic (dead tissue) lesions. Further progression of the a palm is its ability to withstand drought. Many of the more deficiency results in marginal necrosis of the leaflets. The cold-tolerant palms come from regions with distinct wet leaflets or entire fronds may become withered or frizzled in and dry seasons. Freezing stress for any plant is in many appearance. ways similar to drought stress, at both the whole-plant and the cellular level–freezing temperatures prevent or The first response of most gardeners to partial necrosis of reduce the uptake and translocation of water. Tropical or leaves is to prune off the “offending” frond. Rather than subtropical palms that are adapted to survive the stress of helping, this actually worsens the problem by preventing low water conditions (no matter what conditions—cold the palm from translocating the remaining potassium to the or drought—are causing it) will have a better chance of plant’s growing point. surviving cold temperatures. Palms that grow in semi arid areas, savannas, or exposed sandy coastal zones, and on Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is also quite common, espe- exposed well-drained rocky outcrops are prime candidates cially on date palm (Phoenix species). Typical symptoms for testing in colder climates. include a broad band of chlorotic (yellow) tissue along the margin of the older leaves. The center of the leaf remains green. As with potassium deficiency, leaves exhibiting Growing Conditions for Palms magnesium deficiency should not be removed until they In many ways, the growing conditions of Florida are ideal are dead in order to allow the remaining magnesium to be for growing palms. Our hot, wet summers and cool, dry moved to the newer leaves. winters (relatively speaking) are ideal for the growth of most (but not all) species of palms. In addition, much of Prevention is the key to both potassium and magnesium Florida is covered with sandy soils underlain by limestone, deficiency. Once symptoms appear, they cannot be reversed. both of which are conducive to the growth of many palms. Some “palm special” fertilizers are specially formulated to The heavier, clay soils found in limited regions of northwest contain elevated (and balanced) levels of potassium and Florida may be made more suitable for the growth of magnesium, as well as nitrogen, in a controlled-release desert-adapted palms by the addition of sand or perlite to form. “lighten” the soil. In addition, planting the palm in a raised berm may improve the palm’s chance of survival. Iron (Fe) deficiency sometimes occurs in palms in the growing season following a cold winter or in palms growing Maintenance of Palms in poorly aerated soils. Cold temperatures may induce nutrient deficiency by slowing or preventing nutrient Palms are not particularly high-maintenance plants, but uptake. Waterlogged soil effectively suffocates the roots, their care must not be neglected. In Florida, the season also preventing nutrient uptake. Iron deficiency appears for rapid growth coincides with the arrival of high first on the newest leaves and is characterized by yellowing temperatures (80°F or more). It is during that time that between leaf veins. maintenance is most important. Iron deficiency symptoms may be alleviated by foliar Mineral Nutrition application of iron chelate. This is especially effective for Palms suffer quickly and conspicuously from improper symptoms caused by transient cold spells. However, long- mineral nutrition. The problems may arise from either term correction of symptoms due to poor soil conditions is insufficient or improper fertilization. best achieved by changing soil conditions.
Potassium (K) deficiency is perhaps the most widespread For more detailed information on palm nutrition, refer to and serious nutritional problem of palms. Florida’s sandy UF/IFAS publications, Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape soils have a poor ability to retain nutrients. This factor
Palms for North Florida 2 and Field-Grown Palms in Florida, and Fertilization of refer to UF/IFAS publication Physiological Disorders of Field-growna and Landscape Palmsin Floridab. Landscape Palmsi.
Irrigation Pruning Most palms tolerate some drought. However, it is a good Like all plants, palms benefit from regular pruning. Ideally, idea to keep palms well-watered during the active growing pruning of palms should be limited to removing dead period. Keep in mind that “well-watered” does not mean fronds. Practically, this is not always acceptable. When waterlogged. Damage of roots due to waterlogging may fronds with living tissue need to be pruned, remove only induce certain nutrient deficiencies and allow infection by the lower fronds extending out less than 90 degrees from pathogenic fungi or bacteria. the trunk.
The cooler winter months coincide with periods of slower New growth should never be pruned. The natural growth growth. During this time, most palms, but especially those habit of palms does not allow them to be maintained at a from desert areas, do best with reduced irrigation. constant height. Insects and Diseases Treating Cold-Damaged Palms As a group, palms are fairly resistant to pests and diseases. Even with the best of care, palms growing in northern This does not mean, however, that they are pest-free. Florida are going to experience temperatures below those Certain insects and diseases have proven especially devas- that they can tolerate without damage. tating for palms. Effects of Cold Temperatures Palms are not immune to common pests such as caterpil- lars, aphids, scales, and spider mites. These pests may be Cold weather affects palms in several ways. Growth of the controlled by conventional means. apical bud is reduced, and growth of roots is slowed. This reduced activity often weakens the palm to the point that A not-so-common problem for many palms is the palmetto diseases may become active and kill the palm. weevil (Rhynchophorus cruentatus). This weevil is attracted to stressed palms, especially during or after transplanting. Severe cold damage caused by frost or below-freezing The adult female deposits her eggs near the crown of the temperatures may destroy plant tissues. Due to the nature plant, and the resulting larvae tunnel through the tender of the water-conducting tissue in palms, the destruction of meristem tissue. Death of the meristem results in the death stem tissue may severely reduce water conduction for years. of the entire palm. As warmer weather returns, plant pathogens, whether primary or secondary, may attack weakened plants through Prevention by reducing stress to the palm is the best damaged tissue. method to control the palmetto weevil. The practice of removing the majority of the fronds and roots of a palm After a Freeze during transplanting is one method to reduce transplant After a palm experiences damaging temperatures, it is stress. For more information, refer to Palmetto Weevil, important to protect the growing point until active growth ‘Rhynchophorus cruentatus’’c. Several fungal diseases have resumes. proven especially damaging to certain palms. Ganoderma, Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Thielaviopsis are fungi that Carefully inspect the damaged fronds before pruning. cause diseases that may result in the death of affected Leaves should not be removed if they still contain viable palms; see IFAS publications Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palmsd; green tissue. The green portions of leaves are important Fusarium Wilt of Canary Island Date Palme; Thielaviopsis for adequate production of sugars from photosynthesis. Trunk Rot of Palmf; and Bud Rots of Palmg. Additional Allowing the leaves to die naturally allows the nutrients information on diseases may be found in Leaf Spots and remaining in the leaf to be translocated to other areas where Leaf Blights of Palmh. they are needed.
A number of conditions resembling pest damage may be Immediately after pruning away dead tissue, spray the caused by environmental factors. For more information, palm with a fungicide; copper-containing fungicides often are recommended. This will reduce the level of potentially
Palms for North Florida 3 pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Repeat the fungicide spray palm), and Washingtonia (washington palm; Figure 2). as recommended by the fungicide label or about 10 days Refer to Table 1 for specific species and their cold hardiness after the first treatment. Make sure that these sprays cover information. Other cold-hardy palms may be found at the damaged tissue and the bud thoroughly. If the fungicide better garden centers and specialty nurseries. contains copper, do not repeat the sprays more than twice so as to avoid possible copper toxicity. If the soil has frozen, a soil drench of a combination of a broad-spectrum and a water-mold-specific fungicide may suppress root diseases.
Freeze damage to the palm’s vascular tissue in the trunk may limit the ability of the plant to supply water to the canopy. Unlike typical trees, palms do not have the ability to regenerate vascular tissue within the trunk. A sudden collapse of some (or all) of the leaves during the first periods of high temperatures in the spring or summer following a damaging winter freeze may indicate this type of trunk damage. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done at this point. Loss of the palm is likely inevitable. Palm Selection An important factor to consider when selecting a palm for a particular area is the average minimum temperature that can be expected. The US Department of Agriculture has used historical climatic data to divide the country into climate zones. Each zone represents a 10°F range. Most of Figure 2. Washingtonia filifera leaves—note filaments hanging from leaf margins. northern Florida can be placed in one of two USDA climate Credits: UF/IFAS zones. Extreme northern parts of the state are placed in the lower half of USDA zone 8 (10°F–19°F), meaning that the average minimum temperature that may be expected is Endnotes a 15°F. Coastal regions of northern Florida are typically in the Nutrient Deficiencies of Landscape and Field-Grown Palms upper half of zone 9 (20°F–29°F), meaning that the average in Florida, ILN# ENH1018 / DLN# EP273 (https://edis.ifas. minimum temperature that may be expected is 20°F. Of ufl.edu/EP273) course these are only average lows. Single-digit lows have b been recorded several times in the last 100 years. Fertilization of Field-grown and Landscape Palms in Florida, ILN# ENH1009 / DLN# EP261 (https://edis.ifas.ufl. The table in this publication includes palms exhibiting some edu/EP261) degree of cold hardiness. In addition to cold hardiness, c intended use and characteristics of the site should be used Palmetto Weevil, Rhynchophorus cruentatus, ILN# as selection criteria. Careful study of the list of palms and EENY013 / DLN# IN139 (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN139) their characteristics will allow selection of the right palm d Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palms, ILN# PP54 / DLN# PP100 for the landscape situation. (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP100)
Availability e Fusarium Wilt of Canary Island Date Palm, ILN# PP215 / Palms are increasingly appreciated by consumers. Cold- DLN# PP139 (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP139) hardy palms are in great demand and the nursery industry is responding with additional production. Currently, f Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot of Palm, ILN# PP219 / DLN# palms that are most widely available are in the genera PP143 (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PP143) Butia (pindo palm), Chamaedorea (parlor palm), Livistona (fan palm), Phoenix (date palm), Rhapidophyllum (needle palm), Rhapis (lady palm), Sabal (palmetto), Serenoa (saw palmetto), Syagrus (queen palm), Trachycarpus (windmill
Palms for North Florida 4 References Gilman, E. F. 2006. “Palms in the Landscape.” http://hort. ifas.ufl.edu/woody/palms.shtml (April 2017)
McClendon, T., W. Roberds and J. LeVert. 2007. Hardy Palms for the Southeast. Southeastern Palm Society, Inc., Apison,
UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale REC. Palm Production & Mainte- nance. http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/palmprod/.
Palms for North Florida 5 . , more more . B. capitata B. —but with Butia B. capitata B. Comments Syagrus Syagrus . Native to the Florida the Florida to Native to Adaptable Everglades. Reporteddrier soils. to 19°F. tolerate stems. Fiber-covered irritating contain Fruit crystals. calcium oxylate Does not like high well- Requires humidity. soil. drained of the feather- Hardiest leaved Widely palms. Exhibits cultivated. to plant variability from strictior has Var. plant. with less curve. fronds Hybridizes with members of the genus bases covered Leaf Faster hair. with brown than growing Similar to widely more but having leaves. spreading and growing Faster than hardy cold more Massive either parent. leaf trunk with retained bases. Resembles than foliage. less stiff finer, than growing Faster Butia Dark waxy Blue- Blue- Blue- Gray- Color green green green green green green green below below green, green, silvery Green, Green, above, above, Bluish- Bluish- silvery- Foliage Foliage green to to green blue-gray
Leaf Leaf Type Costa- Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Palmate palmate Salt Low likely Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate moderate Tolerance Unknown– Full Full Full Full Full Full Full sun sun sun sun sun Light to full to full to shade shade shade shade shade sun to sun to sun to sun to Partial Partial Partial partial partial partial Habit Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Clustering Clustering Slow Slow Slow Slow Rate Slow to to Slow to Slow Growth Growth Moderate Moderate moderate moderate in © –8’ –20’ –40’; FL © © 20’ 15’ 35’ © –8 40’ + 40’ + 40’ 6 © . 3 Height 15 Typical Typical 4 30
23°F 23°F 14°F 14°F 15°F 15°F 13°F 19°F 8–10 8–10 8–10 Zone 9a–11 9a–11 8a–10 8a–10 8b–10 Hardiness Hardiness like Dry Dry Not Arid, Arid, 4000’ Open plains Moist, desert forests Native Native Coastal Coastal regions regions swamp- Habitat savannas savannas grassland grassland applicable Hillsides to Brazil Brazil, Brazil, South region Origin Islands Florida, Florida, Ryukyu Taiwan, Taiwan, Mexico, Mexico, America America in South Uruguay southern Southern Southern California produced produced Caribbean Caribbean Argentina, Argentina, in the wild Occurs only Occurs Occasionally Occasionally in cultivation No palm palm palm name Dwarf Name glades Paurotis Paurotis common common jelly palm Common Common Mule palm Wooly jelly Wooly Yatay palm Yatay palm, Ever- sugar palm Blue hesper Pindo palm, Pindo
Butiagrus Name Scientific Acoelor- rhaphe wrightii Arenga engleri armata Brahea Butia capitata Butia eriospatha Butia yatay Butia Jubaea hybrid Butia Syagrus hybrid nabonnandi Table 1. Palms for northern characteristics for and their associated Florida 1. Palms Table
Palms for North Florida 6 and . Grows best . Grows , popular C. seifrizii Popular houseplant houseplant Popular Victorian since times. male and Separate Most plants. female when several effective together. planted Resembles C. erumpens palms. interior Often trunkless, but exist. trunked forms male and Separate plants. female variability from Great another. to one plant is blue- cerifera Var. and is in color green as the hardy not as cold form. green after 60–80 Flowers and then dies. years in 12–18’ leaves Massive when mature. diameter Dies after flowering. and drought Heat but does best tolerant, water. with adequate cold- One of the few palms with a tolerant shaft. crown in the genus placed First Trachycarpus higher pH. at container Excellent plant. Dull Dull Dark Dark Blue- blue- white white forms green green green green green Green Green Green below below silvery silvery Green, Green, lighter lighter above, above, above, green and green Costa- Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Palmate Palmate palmate Low Low Low Low Low Low Low may be may variable Moderate Moderate– to to to to Full Full Full Full Full Full sun shade shade shade shade shade shade shade shade sun to sun to sun to sun to Shade Shade Shade Shade Partial Partial partial partial partial partial partial partial partial Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Clustering Clustering Clustering Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow when young Slow to to Slow to Slow Moderate moderate moderate 8’ 5’ 4’ –14’ 10’ 80’ 15’ 15’ © 3–5’ 6
8–9 24°F 18°F 19°F 16°F 20°F 24°F 22°F 24°F 21°F 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 8b–11 8b–11 Dry feet hills Arid High 1600’ Open Open forests coastal coastal around around regions regions to 6700 to 3000’ in 3000’ zones to to zones elevation elevation elevation Mountain forests on forests limestone limestone highlands Rainforest Rainforest Rainforest rainforests understory Lanka Mexico Mexico Vietnam Australia Southern Lord Howe Howe Lord ean Region Parlor palm Parlor Island, New Island, Mediterran- Madagascar Madagascar India and Sri South Wales, South Wales, palm palm palm palm palm palm Hardy Hardy Talipot Talipot bamboo Radicalis fan palm European European Manambe Sugar cane Dainty lady Parlor palm Parlor Kentia palm Kentia Chamaedorea Chamaedorea elegans Chamaedorea microspadix Chamaedorea radicalis Chamaerops humilis Corypha umbraculifera Dypsis baronii Dypsis decipiens argyrata Guihaia Howea forsteriana
Palms for North Florida 7 L. after . species, and species, Livistona Requires well-drained Requires Has the thickest soil. palm–up to trunk of any in diameter. 6 feet Secondmost cold hardy chinensis hard by Often defoliated but re-grows a freezes, in spring. new canopy trunk in Rarely forms northern Armed regions. petiole deeply are leaves The divided and the hang long segments in a curtain- downward like manner. well-drained Requires flowering After soil. will a stem and fruiting, die back, but eventually branching not before the crown. just below large impressive, Form Poorly specimens. should be sites drained avoided. Most landscape specimens transplanted in AZ groves date from or CA. Suckers vigorously. Slender Thicker trunks. indicate trunks may with other hybridization Phoenix of be indicative may tolerance. cold greater some require May in particularlyprotection Separate periods. cold plants. male and female container to well Adapts production. gray Dark Olive Olive Blue- Gray- Deep Deep, Deep, green green green green green green green Green below below glossy Glossy above, above, above, Dull deep waxy gray waxy gray Dull green Dullgreen Costa- Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Pinnate Palmate Palmate Palmate palmate Low Low High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Full Full Full Full Full Full sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun to full to full to full to full to shade shade shade shade Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Slowly Slowly Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary clustering Clustering Clustering Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow to to Slow Very slow Very slow Very Moderate moderate –30’ –80’ ®–50’ © © 40’ 25’ 30’ 10’ 40’ 10’ © 24 50 40
7°F 14°F 22°F 18°F 23°F 19°F 19°F 25°F 24°F 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 8b–11 7b–11 8b–11 8b–11 8b–10a –1900’ © River areas Open Desert Desert Desert Desert forests valleys coastal coastal coastal Desert, regions regions regions regions, regions, mountain mountain Rainforest Rainforest banks and Rainforests understory 600 Chile Africa Japan China, Arabia Islands Canary Thailand Australia Australia Vietnam, Vietnam, southern unknown Southeast Pakistan to to Pakistan Asia – Laos, – Laos, Asia exact origin Afghanistan, Afghanistan, North Africa– palm palm palm palm palm Mazari Canary Chilean Senegal fan palm Australian Australian date palm date Date palm Date wine palm Island date Island date Ribbon fan Chinese fan Pygmy date date Pygmy 6 4 5 Jubaea chilensis Livistona australis Livistona chinensis Livistona decipiens Nannorrhops ritchiana Phoenix canariensis Phoenix dactylifera Phoenix reclinata Phoenix roebelenii
Palms for North Florida 8 , but S.
but P. . All plants plants . All and Phoenix . Hybridizes P. reclinata P. S. minor . R. excelsa Shorter leaves than Shorter leaves canariensis P. dactylifera with other species. Similar to hardy. cold more Separate native. Florida plants. male and female needles from 10–”.®12” crown. yellow to tend Leaves much sun. with too container Excellent forms Variegated plant. but very available, expensive. leaves and stems Smaller than male; no females are exist. well-drained Requires location. trunk,Massive not seen in the frequently landscape. whitish trunk.Large on sandy soils Thrives Similar to deeply has smaller, leaves. folded tolerant, Drought with faster but grows water. adequate a trunk.Does not form than crown Larger palmetto gray Dark Blue- Blue- blue- shiny Shiny Shiny green green green green green green Green Green Green below silvery Green, Green, above, above, slightly slightly Silvery- to blue-to Emerald Emerald Green to to Green Dull green Dullgreen to to Costa- Costa- Costa- Costa- Costa- Costa- Pinnate Pinnate Palmate Palmate Palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate to high to high to high to Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate to to to Full Full Full Full Full Full Full sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun to full to full to shade shade shade shade shade shade Shade Shade Partial Partial Partial Partial partial partial Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Clustering Clustering Clustering Clustering Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow to to Slow Moderate moderate 5’ 7’ 5’ 6’ 40’ 25’ 13’ 25’ 50’ 60’ 40’
5°F 5°F 22°F 19°F 21°F 21°F 16°F 19°F 22°F 16°F 17°F 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 9a–11 8b–11 8b–11 8b–11 8b–10 8b–11 7a–10b 7b–10a Dry Arid, Arid, Arid, 3300’ Forest Forest inland Desert only in of pine culture Known regions regions regions regions regions Hot dry areas to to areas Dry, pine Dry, flatwoods flatwoods Sandy, dry Sandy, dry Sandy, desert-like desert-like scrublands understory Understory US US US India Haiti, China China Texas, Texas, Turkey areas of areas Salvador Bermuda Mexico, El Mexico, Hispanola, Puerto Rico eastern Cuba eastern Crete, limited limited Crete, Southeastern Southeastern Southeastern palm palm palm palm Scrub Dwarf Puerto Needle Slender Bermuda palmetto palmetto palmetto palmetto palmetto Rican hat Wild date date Wild lady palm Lady palm Dominican Rio Grande Cretan date date Cretan Phoenix Phoenix sylvestris Phoenix theophrastii Rhapidophyllum hystrix Rhapis excelsa Rhapis humilis Sabal bermudana Sabal causiarum Sabal domingensis Sabal etonia Sabal mexicana Sabal minor
Palms for North Florida 9 S. T. . . New growth . New growth The state tree of both FL tree state The to well and SC. Adapts soils and different many situations. and flood Drought is more Trunk tolerant. of slender than that palmetto heavy trunk with Stout, Thrives very leaves. large on sandy soil. foliage to Bluish tint less distinctbecomes as ages. the plant Large native. Florida specimens do not easily. transplant Mn to Susceptible deficiency on high-pH large Produces soil. numbers of fruit which messy. some consider trunk. Fiber-covered even hardy, cold Very snow. light tolerating shed naturally, Leaves a smooth leaving slender trunk. Unknown 1992. before Slimmer trunk than fortunei whitish by covered pubescence. of Small compact crown Smooth, slender foliage. trunk. habit. Compact growth Smooth trunk. Dull Dull blue Dark Dark Dark waxy Blue- green green green green green green Green Green Green Green Green below below below green, green, silvery silvery silvery above, above, above, above, or blue Silvery- Costa- Costa- Costa- Costa- Pinnate Palmate Palmate Palmate Palmate Palmate Palmate palmate palmate palmate palmate High High High Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Unknown Unknown Full Full Full Full Full Full sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun to full to full to full to full to full to to full to shade shade shade shade shade shade shade sun to sun to Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial Partial partial Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Clumping Fast Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow Slow to to Slow moderate –40’ –30’ –6’ © © © 60’ 30’ 20’ 18’ 20’ 30’ 25’ 60’ + 60’ 3 30 25
9°F 1°F 6°F 10°F 10°F 14°F 18°F 23°F 10°F 23°F 14°F 8a–11 8a–11 9a–11 7b–11 8b–11 8b–11 8a–10a 7a–10a 9a–10a 8a–10a 7b–10a Dry 7500’ 8000’ 8000’ Open forest Rocky humid forests regions regions Dry pine Lowland Lowland savannas outcrops, outcrops, Mountain Mountain Mountain Mountain mountain mountain flatwoods regions to to regions to regions to regions US US India India India Santo Santo China Mexico Mexico Brazil to to Brazil Western Western Thailand Domingo Argentina Himalayas Himalayas Northwest of northern China, Nepal, China, Nepal, North central Southeastern Southeastern Saw Thai Thai palm palm palm palm palm palm palm palm, Queen chusan Soronan Soronan windmill fan palm Windmill Windmill Cabbage Cabbage palmetto palmetto mountain mountain Himilayan Himilayan Llana Palm Windamere Windamere Hispanolian Kamaon fan 7 Sabal palmetto Sabal rosei Sabal umbraculifera Sabal uresana Serenoa repens Syagrus romanzoffiana Trachycarpus fortunei Trachycarpus latisectus Trachycarpus martianus Trachycarpus oreophilus Trachycarpus takil
Palms for North Florida 10 . , but W. , 4/23/2020) W. robusta W. T. fortunei T. . drained soil. drained https://assessment. ” ( occurs with regular with regular occurs Though from desert from Though regions, fastest growth growth fastest regions, irrigation. Requires well- irrigation. Requires , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, Similar to Similar to Fiber-covered smaller. trunk. Not widely cultivated. spines on trunk. Long Erect, stiff leaflets. Fiber- tolerant. Drought trunk with stiff covered Good drainage spines. essential. well-drained Requires diameter Larger soil. trunk than Hybridizes with robusta silver silver Blue- Deep green green green green green Green Green Bright below below above, above, above, whitish Grayish- Phoenix reclinata Phoenix Costa- Costa- Palmate Palmate Palmate palmate palmate High Moderate Moderate Moderate Unknown https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/syagrus- ” ( Full Full Full Full Full Full sun sun sun sun sun to full to shade Partial Partial https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/livistona-chinensis/ ” ( Solitary Solitary Solitary Solitary Clumping Syagrus romanzoffiana Syagrus https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/phoenix-roebelenii/ ” ( , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA. , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, Fast Slow Slow Slow Moderate Livistona chinensis Livistona FL –100’; 10’ 15’ 12’ 50’ © 25’ in 25’ northern 70 Phoenix roebelenii Phoenix
13°F 20°F 12°F 22°F 13°F 9a–11 8a–11 9a–11 8a –11 8a–10a Arid Open Desert Desert regions regions regions savannas Unknown in the wild forests, dry forests, ). Non-native palms without footnotes have not been reported in Florida’s natural areas and/or have not yet been assessed using the UF/ not yet and/or have areas natural not been reported in Florida’s have palms without footnotes ). Non-native , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA. , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, in north, central and south Florida is Caution: may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (University of Florida, Institute of of Florida, escape (University prevent but manage to be recommended may is Caution: in north, and south Florida central in north and central Florida is Not a problem species and may be recommended; however, in south Florida the assessment is Caution: may may is Caution: the assessment in south Florida however, be recommended; species and may is Not a problem in north Florida and central in north, central and south Florida is Caution: may be recommended but manage to prevent escape (University of Florida, Institute of Food and Institute of Food of Florida, escape (University prevent but manage to be recommended may is Caution: in north, and south Florida central in north, central and south Florida is Not a problem species and may be recommended (University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural and Agricultural Institute of Food of Florida, (University be recommended species and may is Not a problem in north, and south Florida central in north and central Florida is Not a problem species and may be recommended; however, in south Florida the assessment is Invasive and not is Invasive the assessment in south Florida however, be recommended; species and may is Not a problem in north Florida and central Brazil Japan Mexico Mexico Southern Argentina Argentina California, California, and Uruguay https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/washingtonia-robusta/ palm palm palm palm palm, ” ( Livistona chinensis Livistona reclinata Phoenix roebelenii Phoenix romanzoffiana Syagrus robusta Washingtonia fan palm Wagner’s Wagner’s Caranday Caranday California California Spiny fiber Spiny Blue needle Washington Washington Washington , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, FL, 32611-4000, USA. , 4/23/2020) Gainesville, https://assessment.ifas.ufl.edu/ 8 Non-native palms found in Florida’s natural areas are indicated, with footnotes stating their status as established by the “IFAS Assessment of the Status of Non-native Plants in Florida’s in Florida’s Plants of Non-native of the Status Assessment “IFAS the as established by their status stating with footnotes indicated, are areas natural in Florida’s palms found Non-native for assessment The for assessment The for assessment The for assessment The for assessment The Trachycarpus Trachycarpus wagnerianus Trithrinax acanthocoma Trithrinax campestris Washingtonia filifera Washingtonia robusta 3 ( Areas” Natural Assessment. IFAS 4 Areas, Natural in Florida’s Plants of Non-native “Assessment 2020. Sciences. Agricultural FL, 32611-4000, USA. Gainesville, 5 Areas, Natural in Florida’s Plants of Non-native “Assessment 2020. Sciences. and Agricultural Institute of Food of Florida, (University recommended ifas.ufl.edu/assessments/phoenix-reclinata/ 6 Areas, Natural in Florida’s Plants of Non-native “Assessment 2020. Sciences. FL, 32611-4000, USA. 7 Areas, Natural in Florida’s Plants of Non-native “Assessment 2020. Sciences. and Agricultural Food romanzoffiana/ 8 Areas, Natural in Florida’s Plants of Non-native “Assessment 2020. Sciences. and Agricultural Institute of Food of Florida, escape (University prevent but manage to be recommended robusta Washingtonia
Palms for North Florida 11