Virginia Tech Dendrology

royal palm Arecaceae Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F. Cook, nom. cons. symbol: RORE2
Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, up to 12 feet long; individual leaflets, lance shaped and 2 to 3 feet long, dark green, gracefully arching.
Flower: Occur on dense, hanging many-branched cluster, stems are light yellowish green, very fragrant, appearing in spring.
Fruit: Fleshy drupe, round, 1/2 inch in diameter, dark blue, occurs in hanging clusters.
Twig: Absent since leaves appear directly from the top unbranced trunk.
Bark: Light grayish brown, smooth, looks like cement, young stem will be smooth and bright green.
Form: Tall straight tree reaching up to 125 feet tall with a graceful feathery top.
Looks like: coconut palm - queen palm - Canary Island date palm

Additional Range Information: Roystonea regia is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information