Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2733755

Royal Palm

Roystonea regia

Also known as Cuban Royal Palm, Florida Royal Palm

Royal palms tower over tropical landscapes with smooth, marble-like grey trunks featuring a swollen base and a striking bright green crownshaft. Large feathery fronds arch gracefully from the top, providing roosts and nest sites for diverse tropical birds and bats. During flowering season, massive yellow inflorescences emerge beneath the crownshaft, attracting thousands of pollinating bees.

PalmTropicalTree
Royal Palm reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Water
  • Soil nutrients
ThreatsHabitat loss, lethal bronzing disease, and extreme cold snaps
HabitatsSwamp forests, riverbanks, hammocks, and landscaped tropical urban areas
Life span80–150 years
Classification
  1. OrderArecales
  2. FamilyArecaceae
  3. GenusRoystonea
  4. SpeciesRoystonea regia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild palm fruits have toxic look-alikes; never eat wild fruits based on app identification alone.
Responsible observation
  • Avoid Falling Fronds: Heavy mature leaves drop without warning from great heights, so avoid standing beneath tall specimens.
  • Check the Crownshaft: Look for the smooth, bright green column beneath the leaves to distinguish it from other palms.
  • Watch for Wildlife: Scan the upper canopy for roosting bats, nesting birds, and foraging bees.
Related species
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