Types of palm trees

Desciption, Arecaceae or palm tree, a family of flowering plants belonging to the monocot order  Arecales, Arecales is an order of flowering plants

I will provide there common names as well as their botanical names

• Ther are approx 3500 different species of palm trees world wide,


• It is best not to spray palms with white oil.


• Palms enjoy Mulch (but keep mulch away from the trunk to prevent collar rot)


• Usually palms enjoy a fertiliser high in nitogen, eg. an organic fertiliser such as dynamic llfter  or manure  (3:1:3 or 3:1:2 N:P:K).

Some common types found in Australia are

Alexander Palm  Archontophoenix alexandrae

Native to Australia.

Self Cleaning,

 

Plant Description: Also can be known as the King Palm or Alexandra Palm. An native palm from Eastern Australian,  It is  very hardy and can be grown in full sun provided soil is kept moist. It is a palm that some people choose to grow in clumps,  It is an ideal palm for providing a conopy for a tropical garden setting. it is a great upper layer to establishing a rainforest garden. It has a beautiful green crown stem and a smooth self cleaning light brown trunk. When the flowerpod starts to bloom it is a white to yellowish colour and the seed nuts form to a green colour and then ripen to red,  The male and female flowers are on the same flowering  pod. The Alexander Palm grows to an average height of 15 mtrs and is fantastic in attracting some species of bird life. It is a ideal indoor plant provided area is reasonably well lit and also grows well on shaded balconies. Once established, quite drought hardy, The best time to fertilise is Spring. Use a well balanced fertiser. The birds play a role in spreading the seed. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Bamboo Palm - Chamaedorea spp.

Origin is Mexico

Self Cleaning

Plant Description:  It thrives in moist, tropical style lush landscapes and rainforests. It grows well in pots on shaded balconies and high light indoor areas.It is a densely clumping upright palm. It has a inflorescence flower which  appears  in spring and summer A very beautiful  palm which is always green and lush and will  Will tolerate full sun if root area is kept moist but prefers the shade to maintain rich green foliage.  Mulch well to keep root area cool

  

Bangalow Palm  Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

Native to south Eastern Australia.

Self Cleaning

Plant Description: It is very similar to the Alexander palm but can tolerate a much cooler climate  growing just as well in the southern eastern states of Australia including Tasmania  It is A ideal choice for a tropical and rainforest garden. They can be planted in muliples  to grow as a clumping palm  A good palm to include in any lanscaping project, The Bangalow Palm can tolerates the  extreme summer sun and dry winds, if kept watered. It can be grown indoor as well provided adequate light available. It grows to a average height of 15 mtrs and fruits and flowers similar to the Alexander palm. The best time to fertilise is Spring. Use a well balanced fertiser. The birds play a role in spreading the seed. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Canary Island Date Palm Phoenix Canariensis

Origin, Canary Islands,

NOT self cleaning

 

Plant Description:  Used as a landmark tree because of its eventual size, can grow to 20 mtrs,It tolerates frost and dry heat. It prefers full sun and good drainage. It is slow growing (3-4m specimen takes around 50 years), so people often purchase mature trees. It trunk can get to 1 mtr in diameter, the leaves are pinnate and up to 6 mtrs long with up to 100 leaflets on each side, The fruit is an oval yellow to orange-brown drupe 2 cm long and 1 cm diameter and containing a single large seed; the fruit pulp is edible but too thin to be worth eating. It is reasonably drought tolerant,  Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Chinese Fan Palm  Livistona chinensis

Origin, China ,Southern Japan

NOT self Cleaning

Plant Description: One of the most common palms seen in south-east Queensland. Similar in appearance to the taller American Cotton Palm, but the broad, glossy, fan-shaped fronds have drooping tips. Slow growing to 10 mtrs this palm prefers a sunny or semi-shade postion. Very cold tolerant, but needs water during hot, dry weather. An attractive, solitary, fan palm  It gets large bunches of blue fruit. It attracts a wide range of bird life which feed on seeds, Be careful of spikes at base of leaf stems when pruning or weeding young plants. Fertilize in spring and water well in summer,  Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Cocas Palm  Syagrus romanzoffiana

 

Origin is  Brazil,

NOT Self Cleaning,

 

Plant Description: Up untill recent times, the cocos palm or queen palm was a very popular garden ornament.Because of its ease of propergation and tropical look, the cocas palm is planted everywhere, Once the palm reaches its maturity and starts to produce fruit, unless continually cleaned the cocas palm is a very untidy and vermin ridden eyesore.  It is a fast growing, single-stemmed palm that grows to an average height of 12 m. Tall fronds up to 5 m long bear leaves with a green upper surface and greyish undersides. Their seedpods contain many orange-yellow fruits which grow in a pod bunch formation are spread by flying foxes, and germinate easily in bushland areas  and dry eucalypt forests,  .For this reason, the cocas palm has become a nuisance to creeks and rivers as the storm water runoff tends to relocate the seeds and infect the banks of a natural water course  because of there easy germination. They harbour vermin including cockroaches, spiders, ants,and are also homes to the possum, They require continual cleaning  to keep them looking at ther best, They are NOT maintenanc free  Although the cocos palm are not a serious problem yet, it is wiser to plant native palms instead. Potential alternatives include Alexander palms, (Archontophoenix alexandrae) and bangalow palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana).  Mulch well to keep root area cool

 

Dwarf date Palm   Phoenix roebelenii,

Origin is North East India and Burma

 

NOT Self Cleaning,

Plant Description: A popular small lush green palm ideal for decks, balconies, and patios aswell as growing extremely well in garden areas in full sun or part shade, It grows well in pots to approximately 1.5 mtrs but grow to 3 mtrs in the garden area, Although visually looking good, the spikes on the trunk end of the leaves can inhibit very painfull injuries, you can take the time to snip the spikes off, alternatley, they should be planted well away from any traffic areas They are a great addition  for tropical style landscapes & or  pool surrounding areas. they are self seeding, usually in the sum mer months, the black berry fruits follows the cream coloured flowers cup-shaped flowers appear in panicles, up to 50 centimetres long, can be grown indoors, requiring a brighty lit area and is drought tolerant,  Use a well balanced fertiser. high in nitrogen & or use an organic fertilizer.   Mulch well to keep root area cool

 

Fishtail Palm Caryota

Origin   Asia and the South Pacific

Not Self Cleaning

Plant Description: This clumping palm has a green leaf  blades getting its name from the resemblence of the tail of a fancy goldfish, having bipinnate leaves with toothed, oblique leaflet apices, divided into many segments, There are about 13 different species, They prefer a warmer climate as well as subtropical and tropical climates. The fishtail pam would  make an ideal pot or container tree and can be used indoors as well in a well lit area, they are suited for using to create that tropical feel in your landscaping and look great around pool areas, They are fast growing and are moderate in drought tollerance. Use a well balanced fertiser. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Foxtail Palm Wodyetia bifurcata

Origin   Cape Melville  Australia

Self Cleaning

Plant Description:   ,The Foxtail Palm was named in honour of Wodyeti, an Aboriginal bushman after its offical discovery in 1981 it occurs naturally only in very remote area of Norther Queensland, On Cape York Peninsula, about 10 hours drive (475km) north of Cairns, The Foxtail is a hardy palm which can thrive in a variety of climates in a well drained soil.It requires a  well balanced fertiser  high in potassium and calcium in autumn, The Foxtail palm  is recognized for its  bushy ‘fox- tail’ like palm fronds, They are one  of the most desired palms used in landscaping today, They are well suited for the tropical, rainforest or the single specimen planting,  Mulch well to keep root area cool

Golden Cane Palm. Dypsis lutescens Chrysalidocarpus lucubensis

Origin is Madagascar

Self Cleaning, although because grown in clumps, fronds cant fall off and require a helping hand

Plant Description:  The Golden Cane palm is one of the most popular palms well suited in the tropical and rainforest  gardens, It is a clumping palm, which has many golden coloured stems with a contrasting vivid green to golden fronds, Due to it being very easy to grow, and its attractiveness. It is used to provide an instant screenning affect and is well suited to use as a privacy screen. It enjoys the full sun and is also suited to a shaded area. the stems can grow to an average height of 6 mtrs and it is easily maintained by removing individual stems. The Golden Cane is a self seeding palm  flowering in the warmer months. It can be grown in pots and or containers and is suited to patios, decks, around pools and can also be used indoors and under pergolas. Use a well balanced fertiser. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Jelly or Wine Palm Butia capitata

Origin Brazil,

NOT Self cleaning

Plant Description:  the Jelly, Wine or Pinto Palm is a small, excellent single specimen hardy palm, usually only growing to a height of  4 _ 6 mtrs, It has a short trunk and  with curving  greyish blue leaves. The fruit is edible  and is  yellow-orange in colour. It is used to make jellies and jams, as well as it is able to be eaten raw, The taste is delicious and starts out like apple and transforms into tropical like flavours similar to an apricot/banana mix. Although delicious when eaten fresh they are most often preserved due to their stringy fibrous flesh. The fruits seem to be very popular with small mammals, as well as  attracting  a wide variety of bird life.  It has a sweet acidic flavour with a chewy texture. The Jelly or Wine Palm can be grown in cooler climates, is drought tolerant, and can grow in full sun to partial shade, ideal for being grown in pots at the early stages and can handle very windy conditions, A beautiful feature palm suited to tropical or rainforest settings, For best results fertilize the Palm in the spring, and in mid summer using a well balanced fertiser. Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Kentia Palm Howea forsteriana

Origin is Lord Howe Island off Eastern Australia

Self Cleaning

 

Plant Description: Elegant mid-sized palm for indoor or outdoor use. Great for creating a tropical landscape effect. Needs protection from frost when young, but does very well in the garden if protected from sun and strong winds. Slow growing to 10m, Ideal for light indoor areas or shaded balconies with large, arching fronds and a ringed, dark green trunk. An easy to grow palm with the seed clusters up near the head of the palm, Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Macarthur Palm Ptychosperma macarthurii

native to Queensland and northern Australia

Self Cleaning

Plant Description: A clumping palm ideal for screening with feather like leaves, Similar to the golden cane only more elegant and used for the same reasons, Screening and privacy but not as widely known, It has slender trunks that flower a cream colour with small red fruit that will be visited by all sorts of fruit eating birds including Metallic Starlings, Rose Crowned and Superb Doves and Pied Imperial Pigeons.It grows to an average height of 6 mtrs The Macarthur Palms grow in full sun to part shade and requires a well drained soil. Fertilise in spring/summer with an organic fertiliser. Mulch well to keep root area cool, It can be used as an indoor plant, although it will require periods of time outdoors,  Use a well balanced fertiser. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Madagascar or Lucuba Palm Dypsis madagascariensis var. lucubensis

Origin Madagascar

Dypsis madagascariensis var. lucubensis

Plant Description: An elegant looking medium sized palm with a slim grey trunk, with a slightly coloured blue-green leaves. It has Yellow-green flowers which are followed by purple fruit. it grows to an average height of 10 mtrs A fast growing palm which is easy to grow is suited to the smaller yard.It is reasonable drought tolerant. Use a well balanced fertiser. It grows in semi-deciduous dry forests and in coastal areas. Its fruit can be eaten. Mulch well to keep root area cool

Majestic Palm Ravenea rivularis

Origin Madagascar

self cleaning

Plant Description:  Another palm from Madagascar with a funnel shaped smooth white self cleaning trunk and a large crown of feathery brilliant green leaves. It has a tapered trunk,It has a small red fruit. It enjoys a damper enviroment. The wetter it is, the faster it will grow. Well siuted to the indoors. Fertilise in spring/summer Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Pony Tail Palm - Beaucarnea recurvata 

Origin Mexico

Self Cleaning

 

 

 

Plant Description: Growing to an average height of 4 mtrs, it is a lush feature plant which looks best set against water or planted in a rainforest landscape. It is an ideal pot plant for sunny balconies. It boasts beautiful long grass like leaves that flow from the head to the base..which look like a Pony's tail. It is drought tolerant in any hot spot.  

   

Redneck Palm Dypsis leptocheilos

Origin West Madagascar

self cleaning

Plant Description: The "Teddy Bear" palm or Redneck is from the same family as the Bangalow and Alex palm, It is very  drought tolerant once established. The crownshaft is covered in a furry dense reddish brown velvet like hair. It is an easy palm to grow which enjoys full sun as well as part shade, keep moist, It grows to a average height of 10 mtrs, Fertilise in spring, summer,Mulch well to keep root area cool.

Triangle Palm Neodypsis decaryi

Origin  Madagascar

Self Cleaning

Plant Description:  This is a beautiful palm, with the leaves arising from three  points around the trunk, hence the name triangle palm. It can grow to approx 15 metres   The silver grey-green leaves, about 2.5 metres long, point almost upright from the trunk, but then arch gracefully about 1 metre from the tip. It is reasonably drought tolerant but enjoys regular watering, it prefers full sun but can grow in par shade, It can be grown indoors. Fertilise in spring, summer, Mulch well to keep root area cool.

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