Christmas Palm Tree
The Christmas Palm belongs to the genus Adonidia and the species merrillii.
It is very popular in southern Florida for use by landscaping professionals, but you may find this tree under several other names.
Its most common name is the Manila Palm, based on the fact that the palm is native to the Philippines. It also resembles the shape of the Royal Palm, although much smaller, earning it the name Dwarf Royal Palm.
Other names include Adonidia Palm, Kerpis Palm and Veitichia Palm.
Palmco offers the Adonidia Palm and over 20 other types of wholesale palm trees for delivery throughout the United States to liscenced and permitted jobsites. Palm trees and bamboo make a great addition to any professional landscaping project.
We have the knowledge and experience to deliver healthy and vibrant plants that will compliment your next landscaping project.
Why Is It Called a Christmas Palm?
The Adonidia Palm is called the Christmas palm because of its flowers and fruits.
During the summer, this palm will grow light green flowers that turn into a creamy-colored blossom. In December, those blossoms turn to green oval-shaped fruits, which then turn bright red as they ripen.
The fruit will usually ripen just in time for the Christmas holiday, and the clusters actually look like Christmas tree ornaments, thus the common name. It has feather-shaped fronds, giving it a lush green appearance and is very attractive when planted in groups of two or three.
Even though this palm is associated with Christmas, it was not cultivated to withstand some of south Florida’s chilly cold snaps.
The palm will generally not tolerate frost well, and can survive temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a very short period of time.
It performs better when the temperatures in the area stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and is ideal in Zones 10B-11. The Christmas Palm usually reaches about 20 feet tall, and can be a beautiful accent for a small yard. It can also be planted indoors.
Other Fruit-Bearing Palm Trees
Many palm trees bear fruit.
Others have a single edible heart (“hearts of palm”), but eating the heart of the palm tree will kill the tree. Eating the fruits is far more environmentally friendly.
Here are a few palm trees that also bear fruit.
- Areca Palm – This palm will bear small edible nuts. They are also known as betel nuts, but are actually considered a fruit.
- Green Malayan – This palm will bear coconuts. Coconuts have a variety of uses, from simply eating the coconut meat to extracting the coconut oil.
- Maypan – This palm also bears coconuts. Coconuts can also be pressed into coconut milk and used to create ice cream and chocolate.
- The Queen Palm – The Queen Palm produces a fruit that is similar to a date. It has some of the qualities of a coconut, but some say that it tastes like a combination of a plum and a banana.
- Senegal Date Palm (Reclinata). The Senegal Date Palm will produce dates, but they are smaller and have less flesh than those found in a supermarket.
The Christmas Tree Palm and many other varieties of palms are available from Palmco.
Contact us about our inventory.
We can deliver palm trees across the United States to fulfill your landscaping designs. Call 239-283-1329 for more information and for wholesale pricing details.
