You presumably envision a string of tropical islands dotted with white sand beaches and majestic palm trees when you think of Hawaii. But did you notice that there are various types of palm trees in Hawaii?
Even more intriguing is that, despite Hawaii’s favorable climate for palms, almost all of the palms you’ll discover were imported from other countries.
In reality, the state is home to only a few palm trees, the most prevalent of which are the Loulu Palms. Almost every other species you see was incorporated over the last few hundred years from countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Regardless of their background, the various types of palm trees found in Hawaii are all stunningly gorgeous in their own right and succeed in the tropical environment. Talk of bottle palm tree, fishtail palm, coconut palm trees, areca palm, Bismarck Palm, lipstick palm, and coconut palm trees.
Table of Contents
Types of Palm Trees in Hawaii
1. Fishtail Palm
The true name of the Fishtail Palm is Caryotas, but the moniker Fishtail is a more memorable way to remember these unusual palms due to their stark foliage.
Unlike many palm trees in Hawaii, this palm tree has a wilder appearance and is most usually encountered in the tropical forests that enclose the vibrant cities.
When it comes to the Caryota, there are numerous subspecies, but one feature remains constant: they are a majestic sight to behold. The Fishtail Palm integrates several common palm leaf shapes, giving it the appearance of a fusion.
See Also: Types of Palm Trees in California
2. Bottle Palm Tree
Many palms get their monikers centered on their looks, and the Bottle Palm does, too, with its distinctive trunk structure.
Even though these palms take quite some time to develop, a seasoned Bottle Palm is prevalent in Hawaii and is used to complement many suburbs.
The trunk not only carries on the shape of a bottle, but it is also incredibly dense, and the ball of leaves that hangs over it can give the impression that it is a potted plant.
Every now and then, you’ll come across a Bottle Palm with two or three tree trunks, which is unusual given that its single underside is usually huge.
Despite popular beliefs, these humongous trunks are not used to hold water and make no difference other than being aesthetically attractive.
3. Bismarck Palm
The Bismarck Palm, native to both the north and west of Madagascar, is a nice complement to Hawaii’s many booming kinds of introduced palm trees.
The Bismarck Palm, one of Hawaii’s newest additions, is known for its remarkable silver-blue fan-like palm fronds.
This palm has distinct attributes that differentiate it from other palms in its family, adding to its rising popularity.
The Bismarck Palm’s trunk is unique, but it can develop as broad as two feet and as lanky as sixty feet if given enough time and space to grow.
The palm has about thirty leaves on average per plant, with an upward arch that allows you to see the silver undertones.
4. Red Sealing Wax Palm/Lipstick Palm
The Lipstick Palm emerged in Thailand, but it was easily adapted to the Hawaii lifestyle due to the similar environment.
The “Lipstick Palm” is its most popular name, owing to the vibrant red color of its stem and green leaves, which distinguishes this particular species of palm from the crowd.
Because of this unconventional feature, the Red Sealing Wax Palm is regarded as one of many exotic palm trees.
They’re easy to locate in Hawaii, so keep an eye out for the bright red color jutting out among the colorful leaves.
These palm trees are most likely to be found in the yards of residences and local businesses, as they are the most prevalent décor palm in the state.
See Also: Different Types of Palms Trees In Texas
5. Coconut Palm Trees
A Coconut Palm is known primarily for its year-round production of… you suspected it… coconuts.
The Coconut Palm, native to areas such as Malesia and Australia, has found its way to Hawaii and flourishes in its tropical environment, largely along the beach.
These massive palms can grow to be 100 feet in height and ten feet wide, making them visible from a long distance.
A thick husk-like fabric surrounds the groupings of coconuts that sprout on this palm, holding the fruit in position while the huge green palm leaves offer shade from the sun.
These palms’ stems are incredibly dense to facilitate such a massive tree and its continued expansion of heavy coconuts. With that in mind, it is not advised to spend a lot of time under any of the palm trees, as fully mature coconuts can drop from such high altitudes and cause considerable injury.
It’s the most common type of palm tree in the state, so when you’re lapping up the rays on one of Hawaii’s many beach resorts, take a look up at the palm trees that engulf you.
6. Areca Palm
The Areca Palm, also known as the Bamboo Palm and the Golden Cane Palm, is one of the most basic examples of palms in Hawaii, and it contributes to the sensation of a tropical paradise.
The Areca Palm devotes much of its adolescence low to the ground, like a bush, but by the time it arrives in adulthood, it can grow to be about 10 feet wide and up to forty feet in height.
This palm tends to grow in a swarm of several slender palm trees all in one, and the trunks have the looks of bamboo. The swarm can vary from a bunch to a dozen depending on the weather, so anticipate seeing a ubiquitous Areca Palm in Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many various sorts of palm trees exist?
According to studies, there are approximately 2600 species of palm trees, the vast bulk of which are cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm climates.
Which palm tree is the priciest?
Due to its insufficiency and trouble in cultivation, coco de Mer is the priciest palm tree in the world. It is estimated that based on the scale of the plant, it will cost somewhere around $300 and $9000.
What is the appearance of a queen palm tree?
Queen palm trees are single-trunked, regal palms with polished, bright pinnate leaves that pucker sweetly in an elegant cover. Dates in neon orange groupings are put in decorative clusters. In warm climates, queen palm trees are famous landscape trees.
How many native palm trees are there in Hawaii?
Pritchardia is a genus of 25 palm species native to the tropical Pacific Islands. There are up to 19 plants belonging to Pritchardia species in the Hawaiian Islands, including species that are jeopardized, scarce, or susceptible.
See Also: Different Palm Trees in Florida
Conclusion
Palm trees are associated with tropical beaches, hot sunny climates, and lovely lush greenery. Palms are distinguished by fan-shaped or feathery green leaves and fiber-covered stalks or culms. Nevertheless, a few palm species are considerate of temperate zones and freezing weather. Some palm tree cultivars can also be grown as potted plants.
While there are different types of palm trees in Hawaii, it's worth noting that Hawaii does not have a lot of original palm trees, which means that they were all brought to the islands at a certain point. This would include coconut trees, which old Polynesians introduced among other foods such as bananas, taro, and sugarcane.
Many of the palms you’ll see in Hawaii are used for landscape design. They’re appealing, hearty, and full of personality, growing well enough in the warm, damp climate.
