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Publication #ENH260

Bismarckia nobilis: Bismarck Palm1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

Lending a tropical flair to the landscape, Bismarck Palm slowly reaches 25 to 50 feet or more in height and is topped with gorgeous, four-foot-long and wide, stiff, waxy, blue/gray leaves. These palms cannot be missed in the landscape due to the very striking frond color and texture. The flower stalks are four feet long and produce many 1.5-inch-long fruits.

Figure 1. 

Young Bismarckia nobilis: Bismarck Palm

General Information

Scientific name: Bismarckia nobilis
Pronunciation: biz-MAR-kee-uh no-BILL-iss
Common name(s): Bismarck Palm
Family: Arecaceae
USDA hardiness zones: 10A through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potentia
Uses: specimen; highway median; indoors
Availability: not native to North America

Figure 2. 

Range

Description

Height: 40 to 70 feet
Spread: 10 to 15 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: palm, upright/erect
Crown density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: lobed
Leaf shape: star-shaped
Leaf venation: palmate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen, broadleaf evergreen
Leaf blade length: more than 36 inches
Leaf color: blue or blue-green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray
Flower characteristics: not showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches
Fruit covering: fleshy
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically one trunk; thorns
Pruning requirement: little required
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: not applicable
Current year twig thickness:
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; slightly alkaline; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem
Winter interest: no
Outstanding tree: yes
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant
Pest resistance: free of serious pests and diseases

Figure 3. 

Foliage

Use and Management

Several of these palms placed together in a commercial or large residential setting can contrast dramatically with existing vegetation, providing a wonderful relief from the greens so common in most landscapes. Single specimens are also attractive and well suited for most residential-sized landscapes. A row of Bismarck Palms spaced 15 feet apart along each side of an entry road or wide walkway can create a dramatic impact. Even if you do not collect palms, this one should be considered when planning a landscape in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Bismarck Palm should be grown in full sun or partial shade on well-drained soil. This palm is highly drought- and salt-tolerant and is becoming more popular. As is the case with a number of palms, it cannot be transplanted until a trunk develops and is visible at the base of the plant.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests and Diseases

There are no major pest problems on this palm. Watch for scale infestations.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH260, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

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 extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.