The image of a sunlit coastline setting floods your mind at the thought of palm trees, right? Palm trees are far more crucial than simply that. With the capability to rise in varied environments, these plants are capable of enduring typhoons.
Not all palm trees are in fact trees nor truly a palm. They can rise in the form of a bush or wood vines. Palm trees possess 2 different leaf kinds- palmate and pinnate. These plants also serve crucial religious symbols. It forms the basis of Palm Sunday (a week prior to Easter) when Jesus was welcomed with palms a week prior to his death. It likewise represents peace and abundance in Judaism.
With over 2500 species, the bulk are discovered in the tropical, subtropical and warm regions. Palm trees are a source of staples and various other products. Coconut, betel nuts, dates, palm wine (indigenous to Asia and Africa) and palm oil are received from palm trees.
Identifying Palm Trees
The recognition of palm trees is typically done by the unique shape of the leaves (palm fronds). Generally, there are two various leaf shapes, which are palmate (fan-like) and pinnate (feather-like). The form of the trunk is also made use of in distinguishing palm trees. High selections of palm trees have long slender single trunks while dwarf or small varieties have short fat trunks.
Some small types may have 3 to 4 trunks clustered and growing with each other. And there are also some dwarf varieties that do not have any type of trunk at all. They rise out of the ground as bushy pinnate fronds. Also, some tall selections might have smooth slender trunks and some have a rough or ringed appearance. The trunk in some palms are covered in fiber which permits the unshaven appearance they have.
Small/Dwarf Palm Trees
Little varieties of palms are usually about 3.6 m or much less in elevation. The typical types of palm tree that falls in the small/dwarf group consist of;
● Pygmy Date Palm
The Pygmy Date Palm, Phoenix roebelenii, is a palm tree with a spiky trunk. It does not grow taller than 3m and it has a single stem. The stem possesses long bushy pinnate fronds which are about 1m long.
The dates produced by the pygmy palm are not as yummy as those created on the taller date palm.
● Container Palm Tree
Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, frequently called Bottle Palm Tree, obtained its name from its trunk form. The tree has a thick and short trunk which looks inflamed at the base. The trunk grows to regarding 3m in height with 3 to 4 leaves. The palm fronds can grow to about 3.6 m long at maturity and the leaflets regarding 0.6 m long.
● Pindo Palm
Butia capitata, typically known as the Pindo palm tree, is a slow-growing palm types. It is a specie of cold-hardy palms and can rise as high as 4.5 m to 6m. Pindo palms are tolerant of several soil types. The fruit produced by the pindo palm has a light orange to brown colour and is usually used in making jelly.
● Dwarf Majesty Palm
Dwarf Majesty Palm, Ravenea hildebrandtii, is among the most prominent short palm trees for landscape design and gardens. It has a solitary trunk which is about 7cm (3 inches) thick and the leaves are dark green feather-like (pinnate). The plant has a maximum peak of 2.4 m (8ft). The leaves are about 100cm (3ft) long and could have as many as 100 leaflets along the stem.
● Triangle Palm
Triangle palm, Neodypsis decaryi, is characterised by long pinnate fronds that can get to about 2.5 m (8 feet) in length. The leaflets of the palm point out at an angle of 120 ° which offers the leaves a triangular shape. The palm obtained its name from the leaves which fan out from a single fibrous stem to form an one-of-a-kind triangular appearance. It is a decorative type of palm tree ideal for subtropical and tropical gardens.
● Mediterranean Dwarf Palm
The Mediterranean Dwarf Palm, Chamaerops humilis, has few clustered trunks. This makes the palm look even more like a shrub. The Mediterranean Dwarf Palm rises between 2m to 5m (10 to 20ft). The wideness of the palm’s leaflets varies from 50cm to 80cm (20 to 30 inches) with a size of about 1.5 m (5ft). The palm leaves rise in a fan-like form (palate) and are light-green to silver-green in color. Mediterranean Dwarf Palm is valued for its decorative value and it offers an exotic look when planted in temperate regions.
● Spindle Palm
Typically referred to as Spindle Palm, Hyophorbe verschaffeltii is typically mistaken for the bottle palm. The palm obtained its name from the trunk which has a pin shape- narrow at both ends and thick at the middle. Spindle Palm has a sluggish growth rate and can rise as high as 4 to 8 feet. The leaves are green and feather-like and they rise in a V-shape manner.
Other kinds of Palm Trees
● Date Palms
Date Palms, Phoenix dactylifera, is valued as one of the ancient palm trees and for its rich source of food. As evaluated by the name, date palm creates dates- a delicious kind of fruit. It can grow as high as 100 feet and the leaves are feather-like formed. Concerning 10 to 20 leaves are grown yearly in a date palm and the size of the leaves can vary in between 12 to 18 feet. The leaves turn pale brownish after a number of years and diminish.
● Zombie Palm Trees
Zombia antillarum, generally described as Zombie Palm Tree, is indigenous to Hispaniola. The palm can grow to a height of 3 metres. The palm obtained its name from its sharp spines, like voodoo dolls, that rise on the trunk. Although a slow-growing palm, it can reach a height of 10 feet.
● Windmill Palm Tree
Windmill Palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, is among the sturdy species of the palm tree. It has a slender trunk and can grow as high as 44 feet high. The leaves have a fan-like shape though the tip has a weeping look. Windmill Palm tree is indigenous to Japan and China and has numerous names as Chinese Windmill Palm and Chusan palm.
● Coconut Tree
Cocos nucifera, frequently known as the Coconut tree is usually found in the tropical beaches. The palm can grow to reach an altitude of 20 metres. The leaves are feather-like (pinnate) and can attain a length of 3 metres. The fruit of this palm tree, coconut, can weigh as much as 2kg and it is the biggest seed that exists.
● Cuban Royal Palm
Cuban royal palm, Roystonea regia, is native to Bahamas, Vuna, Puerto Rico and some Mexico regions. The palm generally does not surpass 25m in height yet it can rise as high as 40 metres. The leaves are feather-like fashioned and have various leaflets. The trunk has a diameter of about 60cm and has a smooth appearance.
● Florida Thatch Palm
Florida Thatch palm, Thrinax radiata, is commonly found along the seaside freeways of South Florida. It can grow to an elevation of 15 to 20 feet. It is a slow-growing tree with big fan-shaped leaves. The palm tree creates tiny fruits which is a great food for birds.
The tallest palm tree is the Quindio wax palm which is Colombia’s national tree. It can grow to about 200 feet tall. Nevertheless, with over 2500 species, many palm trees are going into annihilation. Palm trees are beautiful and you might take into consideration growing a dwarf variety to improve your landscape.