Plant
Bismarck Palm
Bismarckia nobilisAlso known as Silver Bismarck Palm, Madagascar Bismarck Palm
Rising above the dry savannas of Madagascar, this massive fan palm is renowned for its colossal crown of steely blue or grey-green costapalmate fronds that can span three meters across. The species is dioecious, requiring separate male and female trees for wind or insect pollination to produce its heavy clusters of brown, egg-shaped fruits. Highly adapted to fire-prone grasslands, mature trees survive seasonal brush fires thanks to thick, fire-resistant trunks and deep root systems.
Drought-TolerantFan PalmOrnamental
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
- Palm weevils
- Livestock grazers
ThreatsAgricultural burning, habitat conversion, overcollection of wild seed
HabitatsOpen grasslands, dry savannas, plateaus
Life span50–100 years
Classification
- OrderArecales
- FamilyArecaceae
- GenusBismarckia
- SpeciesBismarckia nobilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Sun Exposure: Observe the foliage in full sun, which reflects light to produce a striking silvery sheen.
- Cultivation Caution: Provide ample planting space, as fronds can easily overwhelm pathways and small yards.
Same Tribe (c) Jon Paul Rodríguez, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Subtribe (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Same Tribe (c) Dali, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dali · cc-by
Same Tribe RuB (Ruddy Bénezet) / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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