Description
Formerly classified as a separate species, Roystone elata, the Florida Royal Palm is now considered synonymous with the Cuban Royal, R. regia. It has a stout, white marble columnlike trunk; a huge, grass green crownshaft; and a handsome crown of large, feathery leaves. The Florida Royal is said to have a somewhat taller, straighter trunk than its cuban cousin. Apparently it was once widespread in southern Florida as a wild plant but today only small populations remain protected in the Everglades and cultivated plants are possibly mixing with the Cuban Royal.