A Primer on Palms
Posted at 4:44 pm October 30, 2006 by Seth Menser
It could be argued that the Arecaceae, or Palm Family, is the most important genus of trees in the world. From lining grand avenues to producing products used by millions of people daily, palm trees reach into every corner of inhabited land. Prized palms are very coveted and admired in many places where they will grow; in even more places, palms are a major source of food, shelter, and other numerous day-to-day uses.
With over 1,800 living palm trees, the San Diego Zoo is proud to boast a very high concentration of unusual and exotic species from all around the world. Our large and varied collection of palms is accredited by the American Association of Museums, an honor in which the Zoo takes a lot of pride.
Ranging from tropical rain forests to deserts, the Arecaceae family is diverse and adaptable. The only thing that will limit the habitat of palms is extreme cold. Leaf structures are grouped into two types: palmate (fan) and pinnate (feather). One exception to this is the fishtail palm Caryota ssp, which produces bipinnate fronds. Like the famous coconut, many palm seeds are edible and can range in size from that of a pea to that of the 45-pound (20-kilogram) coco-de-mer palm seed Lodoicea maldivicia, which is the largest seed in the Plant Kingdom. A multitude of shapes and sizes, along with different shades of green, give palms their unique and sought-after qualities.
Some of the more popular palms at the San Diego Zoo are scattered throughout the grounds. As visitors walk through the entry gates, the main plaza opens up and they are greeted with a very large Cuban royal palm Roystonea regia (pictured above) on the shore of Flamingo Lagoon. With its stately concrete-colored trunk and lime green arching fronds, it’s hard to miss. When it’s time to go home, a group of them shade the exit breezeway. Having lunch at Sydney’s courtyard, you feel as if you are in a Middle Eastern date grove, with towering date palms Phoenix dactylifera overhead. In Cat Canyon, next to the hornbills, you will find one of the largest palms we have: an enormous fishtail palm Cayota gigas reaching upwards toward the sky. This palm has multiple, 30-foot (9-meter) bipinnate leaves that, like the common name implies, resemble many fish tails. Just about every area of the Zoo has palms except, of course, Polar Bear Plunge.
The San Diego Zoo’s gardeners take pride in maintaining and showcasing the ever-expanding palm collection here. With so many rare species growing at the Zoo, the Horticulture Department has put together several palm and botanical guides to help visitors locate our featured specimens. These guides are free and can be found at the main plaza to be used as a self-guided tour.
Seth Menser is a gardener at the San Diego Zoo.
Read Seth’s previous blog, Climatic Influences.
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October 31st, 2006 at 7:02 pm
Thanks, Seth, for a really interesting blog. I’ve often wished more of the trees at the zoo had identifying labels on them, and look forward to picking up a copy of your palm and botanical guide next time I’m there. I’ve often admired the huge fishtail palm you spoke of. You and your fellow gardeners truly make our beloved zoo a Garden of Eden!
May 25th, 2007 at 10:48 am
The huge palms are fantastic
June 4th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Hi: Can someone tell me if I can grow a roystonea regis in my yard near Balboa Park? (I live in University Heights). Some nurserymen have told me we are limited because we lack sufficient heat. I live on an excessively wide and poorly forested street. Therefore, there is a lot of reflected heat from the pavement. I understand these plants might like a lot of water, and perhaps they are unwise for this reason. Athough the area I would plant them gets lots of run-off from people who who overwater their yards…the run-off otherwise goes untreated into the storm sewers.)
I am thinking of planting two in my parkway between the sidewalk and the road. I already have over 20 king palms in my yard and would like to diversify.
Also, anyone have a suggestion for where I can obtain this plant if it is deemed acceptable for my location?
Thanks!!!!!
June 16th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Beth,
I would say plant them. They do come from the Caribbean and love heat and water, but with some love and water they will do fine here. We have several nice ones on Zoo grounds, including 5 tall specimens at the exit breezeway. The biggest factor for survival I would say is cold weather, or lack of cold weather. Our location near the bay makes us very mild. I have not seen any at the Wild Animal Park and they get the heat, but also they have some frosty nights in the winter. There are also a few large ones in Balboa Park. With their large, stately trunks and feathery fronds they are one of my favorite palms, so please plant them. I do know that several local nurseries sell them; I would look in the phone book and call for availability.
Seth
May 9th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I saw a coconut palm (cocos nucifera) growing on an enclosed area blocked by 3 walls for heat and protection. It was near the reptiles. It looks like its getting pretty big. Has anyone else seen it? Does anyone know how long its been there? Anyone else growing one in the area? And Im sure it was one, Im a palm nut and collect them for a hobby. Not to mention I used to live in south Florida. It was on the south side of the wall right near some of the iguanas and lizards.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Martin,
You have a keen eye! It is indeed a coconut palm you saw. It lived in our greenhouse for a couple years and got bigger before we planted it last summer. We picked that spot for the location. Many coconut palms have been tried in Southern California over the years and most have died. I think the cold wet soils in winter do them in. Having protection overhead and the heat of the southern wall has helped it for sure. With some love, it will grow for many years to come, we hope. It did make it through last winter just fine. You should stop by the zoo this weekend 5/17-5/18 for our Spring Garden Celebration. There will be lots of plant stuff going on and many of our Horticulture staff are big palm nuts. We would be glad to point out some of our more exotic species.
Seth
May 18th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Hi Seth,
Im glad you confirmed if for me. I will keep watching for its growth also. I go to San Diego once a year for family visits. Im surprised it did well this year, Im glad to hear it. I was told it was unusually cold year. I guess that proves a hot wall can make a difference as well as some age on a palm, It seems to work for me. I personally have noticed small palms don’t have much of a chance in cold years from my own experience. I now live in Albuquerque NM and experament with cold hardy palms every year. And even Im surprised what happens in colder climates if given a little extra protection.
Thanks for confirming that Im not loosing my mind. Please keep planting exotics its great to see what can be grown. Any Royal Poincianna’s being grown? I had seen one also in San Diego this last visit. Again an exotic that should be grown more.
Martin
May 29th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Martin,
We do have one large Royal Poincianna growing on grounds. It is many years old but has never flowered. I think it needs more summer heat. If you get to the zoo it is by the Kopje exhibit.
Seth
December 11th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Great Blog Seth,
I reckon you are gonna see some amazing palms in Australia mate.
You still cant beat a Brachychiton though……
February 5th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Is someone laying on the ground to take that picture?!! Those trees are amazing!!!