Caribbean royal palm
Roystonea oleracea
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roystonea_oleracea
Overview
Roystonea oleracea, sometimes known as the Caribbean royal palm, palmiste, imperial palm or cabbage palm, is a species of palm which is native to the Lesser Antilles, Colombia, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago. It is also reportedly naturalized in Guyana and on the islands of Mauritius and Réunion in the Indian Ocean.
The Caribbean royal palm faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from urban development, agriculture, and coastal development throughout its native range in the Caribbean. Additional pressures include over-harvesting for ornamental use and climate change impacts such as increased hurricane intensity and sea level rise affecting coastal populations.
Habitat
Roystonea oleracea is native to Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique in the Lesser Antilles, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, northern Venezuela and northeastern Colombia. It is naturalised in Antigua, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It often grows in areas subject which are wet for at least part of the year—coastal areas near the sea, gallery forests in seasonally flooded savannas.
Other threatened species in Arecaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is Caribbean royal palm classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Caribbean royal palm live?
What are the main threats to Caribbean royal palm?
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