Roystonea regia

Roystonea regia, commonly known as the royal palm, Cuban royal palm, or Florida royal palm, is a species of palm native to Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida, and parts of Central America. A large and attractive palm, it has been planted throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental tree. Although it is sometimes called R. elata, the conserved name R. regia is now the correct name for the species. The royal palm reaches heights from 15–24 m (50–80 ft) tall. Populations in Cuba and Florida were long seen as separate species, but are now considered a single species. Widely planted as an ornamental, R. regia is also used for thatch, construction timber, and in some forms of traditional medicine, although there is currently no valid scientific evidence to support the efficacy or use of any palm species for medicinal purposes. The fruit is eaten by birds and bats (which disperse the seeds) and fed to livestock. Its flowers are visited by birds and bats, and it serves as a roosting site and food source for a variety of animals. Roystonea regia is the national tree of Cuba, and has a religious role both in Santería and Christianity, where it is used in Palm Sunday observances.

Description

An single stemmed, evergreen palm. It grows to 30 m high and spreads 5-10 m wide. The stem is erect and smooth. It is white. It is stout and unbranched. The trunk is usually thickened near the base and in the middle before thinning towards the top. The trunk can be 0.5-0.6 m across. It has ring like markings. The leaves are divided along the stalk. The leaves are 6 m long and the leaflets are long and narrow. They are arranged in several ranks. The base sheaths the trunk below the crown. The flowers are small and white and cup-shaped. They are clustered in spikes which hang downwards. These stalks can be 1 m long. These come from just below the crown shaft. The flowers occur in 3-4 clusters with 2 boat shaped spathes. The male cluster is longer than the female. The fruit are round berries which are deep purple in colour.

Edible Uses

The central bud or cabbage is eaten as a vegetable. The ripe fruit are edible and fall naturally when ready.

Traditional Uses

The central bud or cabbage is eaten. The fruit fall when ripe and are edible.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Roystonea regia has been planted throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental. The seed is used as a source of oil and for livestock feed. Leaves are used for thatching and the wood for construction. The roots are used as a diuretic, and for that reason they are added to tifey, a Haitian drink, by Cubans of Haitian origin. They are also used as a treatment for diabetes. Fibres extracted from the leaf sheath of R. regia have been found to be comparable with sisal and banana fibres, but lower in density, making it a potentially useful source for the use in lightweight composite materials. An extract from R. regia fruit known as D-004 reduces benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in rodents. D-004, is a mixture of fatty acids, is being studied as a potential alternative to finasteride for the treatment of BPH.

Distribution

It suits tropical and subtropical conditions. It does best with warmth and humidity. It does best with rich, moist soil. The soil needs to be well drained. It needs a protected, sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. They need temperatures above 15°C. In Cuba it grows on fertile soils up to 1000 m altitude. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, America, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Caribbean*, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba*, East Africa, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti*, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Marquesas, Mexico, Myanmar, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, USA, West Africa, West Indies*, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown at 27°C.

Propagation

Seed - best sown when ripe, it takes about 2 months to germinate.

Other Uses

An oil is obtained from the seed. The leaves are used for thatching. The stems (the leaf stems are probably meant here) are used to make furniture. The trunks are cut into planks and used in construction and to make wharf piles and canoes.

Production

Plants respond to heavy fertiliser application especially nitrogen.

Notes

There are 10 Roystonea species. The fruit are fed to pigs.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Bottle palm, Chaguaramo, Koningspalm, Palem raja florida, Palma criolla, Palma real, Palmier Royal, Yagua

References (40)

• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 531
• Balick, M.J. and Beck, H.T., (Ed.), 1990, Useful palms of the World. A Synoptic Bibliography. Colombia p 121 (As Oreodoxa regia)
• Blomberry, A. & Rodd, T., 1982, Palms. An informative practical guide. Angus & Robertson. p 162
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 892
• Bole, P.V., & Yaghani, Y., 1985, Field Guide to the Common Trees of India. OUP p 19

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