Syagrus romanzoffiana
Queen palm
(c) mauro halpern, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Arecaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen palm) is a non-native California tree in the Arecaceae family, recognized by Only Syagrus species established in California, waif from South American cultivation.
Queen palm is a naturalized shrub found in southern coastal California near irrigation and possibly streams at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering throughout the year, this plant produces white flowers in distinctive palm-like clusters. Growing to an impressive height with long, feather-shaped fronds extending up to 5 meters long, it has a characteristic palm trunk and spreading crown. Its leaves are large, pinnate, and arching, creating a dramatic tropical silhouette in cultivated landscapes. As a non-native species, this palm demonstrates remarkable adaptability to California's irrigated environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only Syagrus species established in California, waif from South American cultivation
Habitat and range
Habitat: Near irrigation, possibly streams
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: Florida, native to South America
Bloom period
Syagrus romanzoffiana blooms All year.
How to tell it apart
vs Phoenix: Syagrus has drooping tent-like leaflets; Phoenix has stiff, upward-pointing leaflets and spiny leaf bases.; vs Roystonea: Syagrus leaflets droop and fold downward; Roystonea leaflets stand upright in flat planes from green crownshaft.; vs Washingtonia: Syagrus has feather-like leaves with drooping segments; Washingtonia has fan-shaped leaves.; vs Cocos: Syagrus has smaller stature with drooping leaflets; Cocos (coconut) is taller with stiffer arching leaves.; vs Wodyetia: Syagrus leaflets droop tent-like; Wodyetia (foxtail palm) has leaflets radiating in all directions like a bottle brush.
Frequently asked questions
Is Syagrus romanzoffiana native to California?
No. Syagrus romanzoffiana is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Syagrus romanzoffiana bloom?
Syagrus romanzoffiana blooms All year.
What plant family does Syagrus romanzoffiana belong to?
Syagrus romanzoffiana is in the Arecaceae family, genus Syagrus.
What habitat does Syagrus romanzoffiana grow in?
Syagrus romanzoffiana grows in Near irrigation, possibly streams.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.