Syagrus
( see - AH - griss )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus of palms includes species native mainly to South America, and produces edible seeds similar to the Coconut. They typically form solitary, spineless stems and reach up to between 15 and 115 feet tall when mature. Leaves are green and pinnately compound. Flowers are present on branching inflorescences in spring and summer, followed by small, fleshy drupes that mature to bright yellow or orange. Use these palms in the landscape as driveway or street trees, focal points in the landscape, grouped in groves, or around pools and patios.
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Syagrus species and varietals
The genus Syagrus is a member of the plant family Arecaceae and includes between 65 and 70 distinct species. The palms in this genus are closely related to those in Butia (Jelly Palm), Jubaea (Chilean Wine Palm) and Cocos (Coconut Palm). Syagrus palms grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12, 13, 15-17, 19-24, H1 and H2. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Syagrus coronata (Ouricury Palm, Aricuri Palm, Licuri Palm) This species is native to eastern areas of Brazil and can reach between 10 and 40 feet tall when mature. Leaves are green, glossy and somewhat feathery and flowers are bright yellow. These trees produce inch-long fruits for most of the year that are small, edible and orange-yellow. Wax harvested from the leaf surfaces these trees is called Ouricury Wax, and is similar to Carnauba Wax. |
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Syagrus oleracea (Palmito Amargoso, Palito Amargo, Guariroba, Gueroba, Bueiroba, Catole, Coco-Babao, Coco-Amargoso, Coqueiro Amargoso) This species of palm is tall and elegant with a slender trunk and arching feathery leaves. These palms can reach up to 70 feet tall and produce fronds up to 10 feet long. Bright yellow flowers bloom in clusters in springtime and are followed by yellow-green fruits that reach up to 3 inches long. The bitter heart of palm is considered a delicacy in the plant's native range. This species is native to Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. |
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Syagrus pseudococos (Coco Verde, Coco-Amargoso, Peririma, False Coconut, Piririma Coconut) This species of Palm is native to tropical rainforested regions in eastern Brazil and can reach over 50 feet tall at maturity. Leaves are glossy, green, and feathery and can reach up to 7 to 10 feet long. Crowns can hold 18 to 20 leaves at a time. Flowers are cream colored to yellowish and bloom in springtime. Fruits that follow are large, yellow-green, and Coconut-like. |
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Syagrus romanzoffiana (Arecastrum romanzoffianum) (Queen Palm, Cocos Palm, Jerivá, Pindó palm, These palms are native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia. They have straight trunks and arching bright green leaves that are susceptible to breakage during high winds. These palms can reach up to between 30 and 50 feet tall when mature (up to 70 feet under optimal growing conditions). Queen Palms produce decorative edible fruits and are hardy down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Cultivars of this species include 'Santa Catarina' (with better cold tolerance and a thicker trunk than the species), and 'Silver Queen Palm' (with silver-green fronds and a heavier bulb at the base of the trunk). |
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Syagrus weddelliana (Lytocaryum weddellianum) (Miniature Coconut Palm, Weddell's Palm, Wedding Palm, Dwarf Cocos Palm, Palmeira-de-Petrópolis, Palmeirinha-de-Petrópolis) This species is small, only reaching about 6 feet tall (exceptionally 10 feet) and produces small edible fruits that look and taste very similar to Coconuts. These palms are native to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they grow in rainforested areas. Prefers constantly moist but not soggy soils. |
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Caring for syagrus
Choose a spot in the landscape that receives full sun (at least 6-8 hours per day). These trees can survive in lower-light conditions, especially when younger, but too much shade will hinder growth overall. Ensure that soil is well-draining, and amend with sand before planting. These trees are not picky about soil pH, and can also tolerate a wide variety of soil structures as well. If soil is overly clay, however, Queen Palms will not perform well, becoming waterlogged and enduring root rot problems. Mulch around the base of trees to improve soil moisture retention, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Young palms will need regular waterings in order to establish a strong root system, but at maturity, these trees are drought-tolerant. Take care not to overwater these trees, as they have a tendency to develop root rot issues. They do not typically need to be fertilized, but if the tree seems to be struggling, a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in spring and summertime. Avoid over-fertilizing them, as doing so can cause damage. Pruning these palms is relatively straightforward. Simply remove dead, damaged, or diseased fronds; over-pruning can seriously stress these trees out, and cutting green fronds off can stress the palm, as they are essential for its health. For a neater trunk appearance, trim all spent leaf stubs to the same length. Although these palms are considered cold-tolerant, they will need some protection (especially in their younger years) if temperatures reach below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover young plants with frost cloths in during particularly cold weather. Syagrus palms can be expected to survive in the landscape for 50 to 100 years or more before needing to be replaced.
Harvesting Syagrus
The species of Syagrus most commonly cultivated for their fruits are Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) and Syagrus coronata (Licuri Palm), though all species will produce edible fruits. The fruits are small, up to a few inches long, and grow in large, heavy hanging bunches. They can be yellow or orange when mature, and are typically ready to be harvested in summer through early winter, depending on the exact species cultivated and local climate. These palms are monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers appear on the same tree, and no pollinator tree is required for fruit production. They will begin producing full crops of fruit between 5 and 8 years of age, and have the potential to produce between 150 and 200 pounds of fruit each year. Fruits can be harvested once they drop from the tree or collected in bunches. Gather fallen fruits daily to prevent them from rotting or being eaten by wildlife. To cut whole bunches, use a long curved harvesting sickle on an extension pole or a sturdy ladder to reach the crown of the tree. Carefully trim away any blocking fronds, and then cut the main thick stem of the fruit bunch at its base. Take care when harvesting, as these bunches can easily weigh upwards of 100 pounds or more. The base of the tree should be completely clear when they fall. Once on the ground, use a gloved hand to strip the individual fruits off of the fibrous branches.
Fruits are most commonly eaten by sucking the sweet pulp off of the fibrous inner seeds and spitting them out. The sticky pulp is exceptionally stringy and fibrous with a flavor profile similar to a mixture of Banana, Plum, Apricot, Coconut, and Pineapple. They are typically consumed fresh, but can also be used in jams and syrups. The pulp is also sometimes fermented to craft alcohols and vinegars. The hard inner seed houses a nutrient-rich kernel with an intense Coconut-like flavor. They can be eaten raw or roasted, and can also be pressed to extract cooking oils or rich plant milks that can be used to flavor rice and other dishes.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Harvesting Syagrus
The species of Syagrus most commonly cultivated for their fruits are Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) and Syagrus coronata (Licuri Palm), though all species will produce edible fruits. The fruits are small, up to a few inches long, and grow in large, heavy hanging bunches. They can be yellow or orange when mature, and are typically ready to be harvested in summer through early winter, depending on the exact species cultivated and local climate. These palms are monoecious, meaning that both male and female flowers appear on the same tree, and no pollinator tree is required for fruit production. They will begin producing full crops of fruit between 5 and 8 years of age, and have the potential to produce between 150 and 200 pounds of fruit each year. Fruits can be harvested once they drop from the tree or collected in bunches. Gather fallen fruits daily to prevent them from rotting or being eaten by wildlife. To cut whole bunches, use a long curved harvesting sickle on an extension pole or a sturdy ladder to reach the crown of the tree. Carefully trim away any blocking fronds, and then cut the main thick stem of the fruit bunch at its base. Take care when harvesting, as these bunches can easily weigh upwards of 100 pounds or more. The base of the tree should be completely clear when they fall. Once on the ground, use a gloved hand to strip the individual fruits off of the fibrous branches.
Fruits are most commonly eaten by sucking the sweet pulp off of the fibrous inner seeds and spitting them out. The sticky pulp is exceptionally stringy and fibrous with a flavor profile similar to a mixture of Banana, Plum, Apricot, Coconut, and Pineapple. They are typically consumed fresh, but can also be used in jams and syrups. The pulp is also sometimes fermented to craft alcohols and vinegars. The hard inner seed houses a nutrient-rich kernel with an intense Coconut-like flavor. They can be eaten raw or roasted, and can also be pressed to extract cooking oils or rich plant milks that can be used to flavor rice and other dishes.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Propagation
Syagrus palms are best propagated by harvesting and sowing seed. To propagate your Queen Palm, follow the instructions below:
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seeds of Syagrus palms are contained inside of fruits produced by the trees. These palms will not start producing fruits with viable seeds until about 5 to 7 years of age. They ripen in summertime. Seeds will need to be removed from fruit flesh before being planted; fresh seeds with pulp completely removed offer the highest germination success rate. It is best to cut the fruits open, take seeds out and then rinse them to remove any flesh still attached. After this process is complete, lay the seeds out to dry in a cool, dark area. It is not recommended to store Syagrus seeds for more than a few weeks to a few months, as they lose viability very quickly. Avoid storing in an area that drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, as this can destroy their ability to germinate.
- Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 24 to 48 hours before planting. This will increase the chances of germination, especially for older seeds (up to 4 months old).
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area (between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit) that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination can take between 6 weeks and 6 months from sowing; the typical germination time is between 2 and 3 months.
- Once you begin to see saplings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new sapling in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Syagrus palms produce fruits that mature to bright orange or yellow. Each contains a single seed.
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Syagrus seeds are hard and roughly oval to spherical.
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Problems and Pests
Syargrus palms can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the garden:
- Fusarium Wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. palmarum)
- Ganoderma Butt Rot (Ganoderma zonatum)
- Pink Rot / Gliocladium Blight (Nalanthamala vermoenseni)
- Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot (Thielaviopsis paradoxa)
- Scale Insects
- Spider Mites
- Palm Aphids
- Manganese Deficiency (Frizzle Top)
Gallery
These elegant palms form straight slender trunks.
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Syagrus palms are perfect for urban landscapes.
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These palms are often massed or planted in rows for a dramatic effect.
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Videos
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Resources
Wikipedia: Syagrus (plant)
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 619, Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)
