• Topics: Palm Varieties | Arecaceae (taxonomic family) | Southern Trees Fact Sheets

Syagrus romanzoffiana: Queen Palm¹

Introduction

This stately, single-trunked palm is crowned by a beautiful head of glossy, bright green, soft, pinnate leaves forming a graceful, drooping canopy. The ornamental, bright orange dates are produced in hanging clusters and ripen during the winter months. The dead fronds are persistent and often require pruning to remove. It is popular in commercial or home landscapes planted in rows on 15-foot centers to line a street or walk, in clusters or occasionally as a specimen. The grey trunk is ringed with old leaf scars.

Figure 1. 

Mature Syagrus romanzoffiana: Queen Palm.

Credit:

M. Ritter, W. Mark and J. Reimer, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

General Information

Scientific name: Syagrus romanzoffiana

Pronunciation: sigh-AY-gruss roe-man-zoff-ee-AY-nuh

Common name(s): Queen Palm

Family: Arecaceae

USDA hardiness zones: 9B through 11 (Fig. 2)

Figure 2. 

Range.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: According to the IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (IFAS Invasive Plant Working Group 2008), in Florida Genus species should be treated with caution, may be recommended but managed to prevent escape.

Uses: specimen; deck or patio; parking lot island 100-200 sq ft; parking lot island > 200 sq ft; sidewalk cutout (tree pit); tree lawn 3-4 feet wide; tree lawn 4-6 feet wide; tree lawn > 6 ft wide; highway median

Availability: not native to North America

Description

Height: 25 to 50 feet

Spread: 15 to 25 feet

Crown uniformity: irregular

Crown shape: palm, upright/erect

Crown density: open

Growth rate: fast

Texture: fine

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)

Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound

Leaf margin: entire

Leaf shape: lanceolate

Leaf venation: parallel

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches, 18 to 36 inches

Leaf color: green

Fall color: no color change

Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: white/cream/gray

Flower characteristics: showy

Figure 3. 

Flower.

Credit:

M. Ritter, W. Mark and J. Reimer, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Fruit

Fruit shape: round

Fruit length: .5 to 1 inch

Fruit covering: fleshy

Fruit color: orange

Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; showy; fruit/leaves a litter problem

Figure 4. 

Fruit.

Credit:

M. Ritter, W. Mark and J. Reimer, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; not 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

Figure 5. 

Trunk and branches.

Credit:

M. Ritter, W. Mark and J. Reimer, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Culture

Light requirement: full sun

Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; acidic; well-drained; occasionally wet

Drought tolerance: moderate

Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: not a problem

Winter interest: no

Outstanding tree: no

Ozone sensitivity: unknown

Verticillium wilt susceptibility: resistant

Pest resistance: resistant to pests/diseases

Use and Management

Growing best in full sun, Queen Palm is most suited for acidic, well-drained soils and shows severe mineral deficiencies on alkaline soil. This disfigures the palm by stunting the young leaves and can kill it. Unfortunately, Queen Palm is frequently planted in alkaline soil and requires regular preventive applications of manganese and/or iron to help keep the fronds green. Potassium deficiency is also displayed on older fronds in well-drained soils. Quick-growing Queen Palm responds well to ample moisture and fertilizer and is slightly salt-tolerant. After planting Queen Palm in the landscape, growth is rapid. This palm is not affected by lethal yellowing disease.

Pruning off too many fronds at one time can cause the palm to decline. Growth often slows with new foliage aborting to display distorted leaflets. The trunk is also very susceptible to decay. Prevent injury to the trunk by keeping turf well away from the trunk.

Propagation is by seed and volunteers will often appear under fruiting trees.

Pests

Palm leaf skeletonizer and scale are problems for Queen Palm.

Diseases

Ganoderma butt rot can kill Queen Palm. It probably enters the trunk most often through wounds in the lower trunk and roots. There is no control for butt rot, only prevention.

Literature Cited

Fox, A.M., D.R. Gordon, J.A. Dusky, L. Tyson, and R.K. Stocker (2008) IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas: Status Assessment. Cited from the Internet (November 16, 2012), http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/assessment/pdfs/status_assessment.pdf

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. Nick T. Place, Dean.

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