Carol Cloud Bailey
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
Roystonea regia
Plant Common Name
Cuban Royal Palm, Florida Royal Palm
General Description
The royal palm is perhaps the most regal of all palms with its smooth gray trunk reaching skyward. The top of this palm from the western Caribbean Basin is capped with a lovely crown of large green pinnate (feather) fronds. The trunk has the appearance as if it was cast of concrete. The creamy, cup-shaped flowers with purplish anthers are borne in large clustered panicles and yield purple fruits.
The royal palm should be planted in a well-draining soil that is moist. It is very tolerant of calcareous, alkaline soils and grows better with a top mulch in these conditions. This palm is self-cleaning, meaning it sheds its oldest fronds. These fronds are sturdy and heavy and can damage property or threaten human safety when falling. As a survival mechanism, fronds are shed in tropical storms to lessen wind stress on both trunk and crownshaft. This palm is used worldwide for magnificent tropical allees, commercial plantings and public parks. Its tall mature size is out of scale for a mere one or two story building. Royal palm bug can negatively affect newly emerging fronds.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 24
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Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
50'-100' / 15.2m - 30.5m (75)
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Width
20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m (30)
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Bloom Time
Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Purple, Ivory
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Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
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Fruit Color
Purple
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
