15 Different Types Of Palm Trees You Should Know

The palm tree is one of the most iconic and well-known plant species in the world.  The word "palm" comes from a Greek word meaning "wedge," which refers to how some types of palms are shaped.  Palms come in many shapes, sizes and colors, with over 1,500 different varieties throughout the world. This article will list 15 main types of palm trees from around the world.

Manila Palm

The Manila Palm is native to Mexico, Central America and northern South America. The main form of this palm is as a slender trunk with crowns of fronds. This type of palm is called "pinnate."

They are typically seen in suburban areas, commercial areas or parks. This type of palm also goes by the name "Washingtonia filifera", or Mexican Fan Palm.

A popular use for the Manila Palm is in public landscaping. In addition, the fronds can be harvested for different purposes, such as mats and thatching for roofs. The fruit of the palm is also edible and can be cooked, eaten raw or as a substitute for sugar.

Coconut Palm

Coconut palms are one of the most recognizable palm types. They grow in tropical climates and can be found in India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and throughout the Pacific Ocean.  The coconut is the fruit produced by these palms.

In addition to being a major food source for people, they also provide materials for building houses or thatching roofs.  Coconut palms can reach up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall and 15 feet in diameter. They also have a very long life span, with the oldest known being over 50 years old.  

Windmill Palm

The Windmill Palm is a tall and slender palm tree that can grow to be over 50 feet (15 meters) tall. It has long, thin leaflets, similar to those of the coconut palms.  These palms are named for the way they look when they sway in the wind like blades of a windmill.

This type of palm is native to the southern US, Mexico and Central America.  They grow well in dry climates, but can still survive in tropical climates with some water.  They prefer sandy soil where they can sink their roots deep into the ground for stability during strong winds or storms.

Palms are often used as landscaping trees because they create a tropical, lush feel that can add to the appeal of a house.  They provide shade and shelter from the sun, which is appealing to most people.  

Date Palm

The Date Palm is a species of palm tree that originated in the Middle East and North Africa. It grows well in dry climates, but can survive on minimal water as long as it has fertile soil to grow in.

Date palms are tall trees with spines on the trunk. They also have large leaves that can be used for shelter or shade.  The fruit of the Date Palm tree is a date, which can be eaten fresh or dried.  Dates are a common ingredient in Middle Eastern cuisine and are also used to make some types of alcohol.

Bamboo Palms

Bamboo palms are tall, thin trees with a variety of uses. They typically grow to be between 30 and 60 feet (9-18 meters) tall and 15 feet in diameter. The largest Bamboo Palm is about 80 feet (25 meters) high.

They have a small trunk at the base that gradually expands as the tree grows taller.  The leaves are thin and green with yellow edges.

Bamboo palms can be used for a variety of purposes. The leaves can be woven into baskets or hats, the inner tissue of the tree is edible, and the tips of long young branches can be eaten as a vegetable. It also has medicinal uses, such as being helpful in curing diarrhea.

Kentia Palm

The Kentia palm tree can be identified by its fan-shaped leaves. This type of palm is typically used as an ornamental plant in tropical areas around the world and also to make Christmas decorations.

Palms are popular because they provide shelter from the sun, which keeps things cooler under the shade of these trees. They are sturdy plants that grow well in most soil types, and they can even survive being planted underwater.

They can also be used for a variety of things, from building materials to food sources.  Palms are hardy plants with many different uses that make them valuable to people living in temperate or tropical climates.

Queen Palm

The Queen Palms are a species of palm tree that is native to parts of the southern US and Mexico. They grow up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall and have long, green leaves with an elongated shape.  They also produce bright yellow flowers that resemble those of Queen Anne's Lace or wild carrot plants.

Queen palms have historically been used for a variety of purposes.  The Spanish have used them to make baskets, hats and brooms; the Inuit people used them as construction materials.  They can also be eaten and ground into flour that is similar in taste and texture to wheat flour.

Lady Palm

The Lady Palms are a species of palm native to tropical climates around the world. They grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall, with leaves that are about 60 inches long and 15 inches wide at their widest point. These palms have green leaves that turn yellow and brown in the winter months.  They also produce clusters of white flowers.

Lady palms grow well in a variety of climates, including tropical and temperate ones. They are used as landscaping trees that provide shade and shelter from the sun all year round.  

Pygmy Date Palm

The Pygmy Date Palm is a species of palm tree that produces clusters of small, brown berries. It has a leaf shape that resembles the head of an ibex. The plant itself is small, only growing to between three and five feet (one to 1.5 meters) in height and 20 inches in diameter at maturity.

These palms can be found in the Middle East , tropical parts of Asia, and Southern Africa. These trees have been used to help with construction and food preparation for thousands of years.  They are also a popular choice for planting as ornamental plants because they are easy to maintain and propagate.

Dwarf Date Palm

The Dwarf Date Palm is a species of palm tree native to the Middle East, especially parts of Asia and Africa. The fruits are small and brown with a single seed. They have leaves that grow up to three feet (one meter) long an 18 inches in diameter.  They also blossom white flowers that are arranged in clusters at the ends of the branches.

Palms are valued for their beauty and practical uses.  They provide shelter from the hot sun, which means that people who live near them experience cooler temperatures than those who do not have a palm tree in their backyards or front yards.  

They also make good construction material because they are sturdy plants with thick trunks.  They are also a good source of food for many people around the world because they can be eaten and ground into flour.

Parlour Palm

The Parlour Palm is a species of palm tree native to the Caribbean Islands. They grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall, with fan-shaped leaves that can be up to five feet long and two feet wide at their widest point.  It blooms clusters of white flowers and has green fruit with one seed inside.

Palm trees are valued for their beauty.  They provide shelter from the hot sun, which means that people who live near them experience cooler temperatures than those who do not have a palm tree in their backyards or front yards. They also make good construction material because they are sturdy plants with thick trunks.

Royal Palm

The Royal Palm is a species of palm tree native to tropical climates. It grows up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall, with solid green leaves that can grow up to five feet long and two feet wide at their widest point.

These palms have been used for construction purposes in the past, including as foundations and columns. They are also used for food, medicine and the production of oil.

The Royal Palm is valued around the world for its strength, beauty and longevity. It has been used in landscaping as well as in construction materials since ancient times.  It is also thought to bring good luck.

Cretan Date Palm

The Cretan Date Palm is a species of palm tree native to the Mediterranean. It has a dense form and grows up to 20 feet (six meters) in height, with leaves that are about four feet long and two feet wide at their largest point.  It also produces bunches of fruits with brown seeds inside them.  

Cretan Date Palms are valued for their decorative appeal and ability to grow in many different climates.  They can withstand wind, cold weather, and even soil with low fertility.  They are also thought to be symbols of fertility and good luck.

Butia Palm

The Butia Palm is a species of palm tree native to the Amazon Rainforest. The leaves grow up to 20 feet (six meters) long and 12 inches wide at their widest point.  It produces bunches of red fruit with one seed inside.  

Butia Palms are valued as ornamental plants for their bright red flowers and compact form. Their ability to grow in desert areas and expansive rainforests makes them a popular choice for landscapers throughout the world.  They can also withstand cold temperatures, which makes them good plants to have around if you live in colder climates.

Cliff Date Palm

The Cliff Date Palm is a species of palm tree native to the Sinai Peninsula. It grows up to 25 feet (eight meters) tall with leaves that are about five feet long and two feet wide at their widest point.  It produces bunches of brown fruits with one seed inside.  

Cliff Date Palms are valued for their edible fruit and their ornamental appeal.  They are often planted in residential yards around the world, where they provide shade from the hot sun and a way to add some aesthetic value to your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

- What is the Difference Between a Palm Fruit and Palm Nut?

Palm fruits are the part of the palm that is inedible and includes the seeds, flesh, skin, and outside peel. The edible parts are the fruit segments found inside the rind. This is what people typically refer to as a "date".

Palm nuts are small and brown with a single seed. Palm trees are valued for their beauty and practical uses. 

They provide shelter from the hot sun, which means that people who live near them experience cooler temperatures than those who do not have a palm tree in their backyards or front yards.

They also make good construction material because they are sturdy plants with thick trunks.  They are also a good source of food for many people around the world.

- How Big Do Palm Trees Get?

Palm trees grow no taller than 100ft or about 30 meters. How tall they get will depend on the species of palm but most max out at being around 50 feet or 15 meters. Some types of palms, such as the Queen Palm, can grow up to 150 feet tall or 46 meters when cared for properly.

- Why Are Palm Trees Valued?

People around the world use palm trees in various ways, from using their fruit as food to building homes with their wood and weaving baskets from their leaves.  Palm trees have been used in this way for centuries, which is why they are still valued by many people today.

- Where Are Palm Trees Found?

There are numerous species of palm trees, and they can be found in deserts, tropical regions or temperate areas.  They can typically be found in places where there is a lot of humidity.

Conclusion

Palm trees are a valuable resource for many cultures around the world. They can bring good luck, provide shelter from the sun and make great construction material. The 12 types of palm trees we've listed here represent just some of the diverse uses people have found for this plant that is valued in so many ways.