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Author: Karen Dyka Layout & Photographer: Rich Perks Editors: Barbara Toston Martha A. Barajas Special Thank-you Booklet reviewers including University of Nevada Master Gardeners Photographs property of Rich Perks KEY:

A dichotomous key for identifying commonly found palms in Southern Nevada is on page 4 and 5.. Dichotomous keys give you two choices. To use the key, select the best description from each number and then proceed to the next number. Continue until there are no more choices or numbers. Example: A single trunk palm tree with bluish-gray palmate leaves and large spines on the petiole is a _____. fan shaped leaves Select first 1 large spines on the petiole Select second 2 & second 3 single trunk Select second 4 blue-gray foliage Select first 5 The palm is the Mexican Blue Fan Palm.

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Fibers Tomentose

Costapalmate Acanthophyll

Induplicate Reduplicate

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Common Palms in Southern Nevada

1 FAN LEAF (PALMATE OR COSTAPALMATE)

2 No spines on petiole or if present, minute. Leaf costapalmate and twisted. 3 No spines. Leaf dull green with sparse fibers. Sabal palmetto Page 6 Sabal Palm 3 No spines or if spines, minute. Leaf grayish to bluish green. Trunks mostly subterranean. Clusters. Nannorrhops ritchiana Page 7 Mazari Palm 2 Petiole with spines, minute to hazardous. Leaf palmate. 3 Spines on petiole minute. Trunk extremely fibrous. Trachycarpus fortunei Page 11 Windmill Palm 3 Spines on petiole hazardous. 4 Multi-trunk tree unless pruned to one trunk. Trunk fibrous. 5 Spines narrow, point toward blade. Chamaerops humilis Page 8 Mediterranean Fan Palm 5 Spines perpendicular to petiole. Narrow, Persistentt leaf bases. Acoelorrhaphe wrightii Page 9 Everglades Palm 4 Single trunk trees. Spines broad, point toward trunk, sawtooth-like. 5 Foliage bluish-gray. Thick trunk. Brahea armata Page 10 Mexican Blue Palm 5 Foliage green to bluish green. 6 Thick trunk. Washingtonia filifera Page 12 California Fan Palm 6 Thick trunk only at base. Washingtonia robusta Page 13 Mexican Fan Palm

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Common Palms in Southern Nevada cont.

1 FEATHER LEAF (PINNATE)

2 Leaves curl under toward trunk. Gray green foliage. Petiole base persistent. Butia capitata Page 14 Pinto Palm 2 Leaves do not curl toward trunk. 3 Trunk smooth. Leaves reduplicate. Syagrus romanzoffiana Page 15 Queen Palm 3 Trunk not smooth. Leaves induplicate. Lower leaflets modified into spines. 4 Trunk not slender, greater than 15’ tall. 5 Leaves olive to deep green, leaflets spaced evenly and in a single plane. Phoenix canariensis Page 17 Canary Island Date Palm 5. Leaves grayish to blue-green, leaflets not uniformly spaced and not in a single plane. 6. Trunk with rough, protruding leaf scars. Phoenix dactylifera Page 16 Date Palm 6. Trunk smoother, with diamond-shaped leaf scars Phoenix sylvestris Page 18 Toddy Palm 4. Trunk slender, less than 10’ tall. Phoenix roebelenii Page 19 Pygmy Date Palm

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FAN Sabal palmetto Sabal Palm

HEIGHT: 40’ GROWTH RATE: Extremely slow to slow

LEAVES: Several dozen, dull green, costapalmate, induplicate, divided, twisted, sparse fibers.

PETIOLE: No spines, long.

TRUNK: Solitary, robust, gray. Leaf bases persistent or smooth; if persistent, bases form a criss-cross pattern.

FLOWER: White, perfect.

FRUIT: Black.

COMMENT: Very hardy to cold. Protect from harsh west sun. Prefers moist soil.

USE: Specimen in protected location.

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FAN Nannorrhops ritchiana

Mazari Palm

HEIGHT: 15’ GROWTH RATE: Extremely slow to slow

LEAVES: 10-20, powdery grayish-green to bluish gray, costapalmate, twisted, Wedge to semicircular, 30 leaflets split to 1/2 length from tip to base.

PETIOLE: Unarmed or minute marginal teeth. Wooly fibers on new petioles.

TRUNK: Clusters, usually subterranean but may reach 15 ft. above ground. Diameter 8”; orange-brown fibers.

FLOWERS: White, monoecious; stem dies back after bloom.

FRUIT: Orange-brown, edible.

COMMENT: Full sun, tolerates calcareous soil. Cold tolerant.

USE: Accent, container.

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FAN Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Fan Palm, European Fan Palm

HEIGHT: Variable 10’-25’ GROWTH RATE: Slow

LEAVES: 15-30, variable color (green, gray-green or silver-green), glossy or dull, divided up to 2/3 deep, tips split, persistent.

PETIOLE: Long, narrow, orange spines point toward leaf.

TRUNK: Clusters; slender, dense fibers. Often pruned to solitary trunk. Retains old leaf bases.

FLOWER: Yellow, usually dioecious/polygamous; close to trunk.

FRUIT: Yellow-orange to brown.

COMMENT: Sharp spines. Tolerates light snow and light shade.

USE: Lawn, transitional; barrier, accent, container.

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HEIGHT: 20’, rarely to 40’ GROWTH RATE: Slow to medium

LEAVES: 10-15 per stem, bright green above, silver-green below, induplicate, at least ½ divided to base; leaflets split at tip.

PETIOLE: Marginal, large teeth. Base persistent.

TRUNK: Cluster, slender (4”), fibrous, persistent leaf base, mature stems ringed.

FLOWER: White, perfect.

FRUIT: Black.

COMMENT: Sensitive to 250F. Most tolerant to poor drainage, high pH causes manganese deficiency.

USE: Specimen.

FAN Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

Everglades Palm, Paurotis Palm

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FAN Brahea armata (Erythea armata) Blue Hesper Palm, Mexican Blue Fan Palm

HEIGHT: 30-40’ GROWTH RATE: Slow to moderate

LEAVES: 50-60, silver-blue or blue-green, costapalmate, induplicate, more than ½ divided to base; waxy; stiff, split at tip.

PETIOLE: Large teeth-like spines, waxy below.

TRUNK: Solitary, thick (18” dia.), swollen at base, mature trunk grayish and ringed. Persistent leaf bases.

FLOWER: Cream to yellow; perfect; solitary. Long arched stalks. Looks like a fountain.

FRUIT: Yellow with brown stripes; hangs beyond leaf. Black when mature.

COMMENT: 18oF, survived freeze of 1990-91; tolerates some shade and calcareous soil.

USE: Accent, frame, specimen, patio, pools, formal.

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HEIGHT: 25-40’ GROWTH RATE: Slow to moderate

LEAVES: 20-30, dark green above, somewhat silvery below, induplicate. Divided almost to base.

PETIOLE: Minute teeth.

TRUNK: Solitary, slender with thick mass of fibers.

FLOWER: Yellow; dioecious.

FRUIT: Blue to black.

COMMEMT: Leaves damaged in wind, very cold tolerant.

USE: Accent, silhouette, frame.

FAN Trachycarpus fortunei

Windmill Palm

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FAN Washingtonia filifera California Fan Palm

HEIGHT: 30-50’ GROWTH RATE: Moderate

LEAVES: Several dozen, grayish-green, costapalmate, induplicate. Divided 1/2 or more to base. Thread-like fibers on leaf margins between splits, broad crown.

PETIOLE: Green. Stout, teeth-like spines.

TRUNK: Solitary, robust, columnar. Narrowly furrowed, vertical ridges more pronounced than rings, persistent leaf bases.

FLOWER: Clusters, white; perfect.

FRUIT: Brownish black.

COMMENT: Often hybridize.

USE: Street, golf course, parks, too large for most residential landscapes.

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FAN Washingtonia robusta

Mexican Fan Palm

HEIGHT: 70-100’ GROWTH RATE: Fast

LEAVES: 30, bright green, costapalmate, induplicate. Divided 1/2 or more to base. Underside of leaf tomentose near hastula.

PETIOLE: Orange, saw-tooth margins. Base is reddish brown. Shorter than W. filifera.

TRUNK: Solitary. Leaves & leaf bases persistent. Slender, significantly broader at base; prominent rings.

FLOWER: Off-white; perfect.

FRUIT: Brownish black.

COMMENTS: Too tall for residential landscape.

USE: Street, specimen for tall buildings.

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HEIGHT: 10-15’ GROWTH RATE: Very slow

LEAVES: 40-50 leaves,. Color variable (yellow-green, green, to silver or gray-green). Reduplicate. Curve downward toward trunk.

PETIOLE: Short, slender, fibrous spines at base, persistent grayish leaf bases.

TRUNK: Solitary, (18” dia.), broad; leaf base persistent with V attachment, Circular rings when mature.

FLOWER: Yellow to reddish, monoecious.

FRUIT: Yellow to orange. Pendant clusters. Edible.

COMMENT: Often yellows in alkaline soils. Most weather-hardy, pinnate palm. Form and color vary. Prefers well drained soil.

USE: Median, avenue.

FEATHER Butia capitata Pinto Palm, Jelly Palm

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FEATHER Syagrus romanzoffiana

Queen Palm

HEIGHT: 15-40’ GROWTH RATE: Fast

LEAVES: Dark green. Reduplicate. Arching, droopy leaflets in groups of 2-7; plumose.

PETIOLE: Fibrous on base margins, unarmed.

TRUNK: Solitary, smooth, gray-white, widely spaced rings. Variable in size.

FLOWER: White; monoecious; cascades.

FRUIT: Yellow to orange.

COMMENT: Sensitive to cold. Prefers slightly acidic soil, and protected area. Susceptible to blow-over in wind. Several cultivars, messy. Does not tolerate drought or calcareous soil.

USE: Specimen.

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FEATHER Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm

HEIGHT: 70’ GROWTH RATE: Slow to moderate

LEAVES: 20-40, gray-green, induplicate, erect, somewhat V shaped & sparse.

PETIOLE: Lower leaflets are acanthophylls.

TRUNK: Cluster, (18-24” dia); base scars form a flat knob geometric pattern. Suckers in youth (6-16 years).

FLOWER: White; dioecious; fragrant.

FRUIT: Yellow, orange, or red.

COMMENT: More open crown than P. canariensis. Full sun. Well-drained soil.

USE: Grown for dates, specimen or group of variable height. Too tall for most residential use.

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FEATHER

Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Date Palm

HEIGHT: 50-60’ GROWTH RATE: Slow

LEAVES: 50-100, dull, deep green; induplicate; stiffly arched, strongly descending; dense, straight leaflets.

PETIOLE: Short, lower 1/3 leaflets are modified into acanthophylls.

TRUNK: Solitary, stout (2-3’ dia.). Leaf base scars form elongated diamond pattern, spiral rings. Leaf bases often pruned to form pineapple like boot under canopy.

FLOWER: Yellow; dioecious.

FRUIT: Orange.

COMMENT: Rounded, full crown. Full sun. Well-drained soil. Susceptible to disease problems.

USE: Requires large area.

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HEIGHT: 40-50’ GROWTH RATE: Slow

LEAVES: Up to 100, grayish to bluish green leaflets arranged in 2-3‘s often crisscrossing.

PETIOLE: Lower spines are modified leaflets, acanthophylls; often yellow or orange.

TRUNK: Solitary, robust (18” dia.), diamond-shaped leaf base scars, some-what persistent leaf bases.

FLOWERS: White; dioecious.

FRUIT: Orange maturing to purplish-red, pendent clusters, edible.

COMMENT: Rounded, full crown, maybe less cold tolerant than Canary Island.

USE: Specimen.

FEATHER Phoenix sylvestris Toddy Palm, Wild Date Palm

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HEIGHT: 10’ GROWTH RATE: Very Slow

LEAVES: 50 plus, glossy green, induplicate, leaflets evenly spaced and spine-like at base.

PETIOLE: Lower leaflets are modified as spines, acanthophylls.

TRUNK: Solitary, slender, sometimes thinner at base. Leaf base stubs persist(looks knobby).

FLOWER: Cream; dioecious.

FRUIT: Black.

COMMENT: Cold sensitive. Prefers afternoon shade and protection from winter-winds.

USE: Small area, accent, containers.

FEATHER Phoenix roebelenii Pygmy Date Palm

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Glossary

Acanthophyll A leaf or leaflet modified into a spine. Bisexual Stamen and pistil in one flower. Costapalmate A palmate leaf with a petiole that extends into the

blade as a distinct midrib. Dioecious Having staminate flowers and pistilate flowers on

different plants. Fibers Threadlike structures. Hastula Tissue protruding above or below the leaf at the

point of blade attachment with petiole. Imperfect flower A flower missing either the stamen or pistil. Induplicate Segments (fan palms) or leaflets (feather palms)

are folded upward to form a V. Leaflet A segment of a compound leaf. Midrib Central vein in a leaf. Minute Barely observable. Monoecious Having staminate flowers and pistilate flowers

separate on the same plant. Palmate Fan-like. Leaflets attached at a central point. Perfect flower A single flower having both staminate and pistilate

flower parts. Petiole A leaf stalk. Pinnate Feather-like. Leaflets attached to a central long

axis (rachis). Pistilate (Pistil) Style and ovary portion of a flower. Plumose Feathery, having fine hairs on each side. Polygamous Bearing both staminate and pistilate flowers and

also perfect flowers on the same plant. Reduplicate Segments (fan palms) or leaflets (feather palms)

are folded downward to form a tent. Spines A sharp-pointed, stiff, woody projection. Staminate (Stamen) Pollen producing part of a flower. Tomentose Covered with short, densely matted, soft white

wool (hairs).

Unisexual flower A flower having either stamen or pistil.

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Reference

Bailey, L.H. 1951. Manual of Cultivated Plants. Macmillan Publishing Company, N.Y. Brenze, Kathleen Norris, 2001, Sunset Western Garden Book, Sunset Publishing Corporation,, Menlo Park, California Duffield, Mary Rose and Warren Jones, 2001, Plants For Dry Climates, DA-CAPO Press, Cambridge, MA Meerow, Alan W. 1996. Betrock’s Guide to Landscape Palms. Betrock Information Systems Inc, Hollywood, Florida Riffle, Robert and Paul Craft, 2003, An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms, Timber Press, Portland

For more information: Karen Dyka University of Nevada Cooperative Extension 702-257-5530 or 8050 Paradise Road, Suite 100 702-222-3130 Las Vegas, NV 89123-0855

Copyright © 2008, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

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NOTE PAGENOTE PAGE

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NOTE PAGENOTE PAGE

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