Family: Arecaceae

The Bismarck palm is a single-stemmed palm tree with a rounded crown. Fan-shaped fronds, blueish-green in color, are arranged in a hemispherical shape that sits atop a stout trunk. The crown to trunk ratio is visually satisfying.

A grand specimen, the bismark palm, is a focal point to any landscaping. Usually displayed as a solitary tree or in groups of three, this massive palm commands both attention and growing room.

This species of palm is dioecious, needing both male and female trees to produce viable offspring. Propagation by seed: germination takes place in 6 to 8 weeks. They must be started in pots and carefully transplanted not to disturb the roots.

The Bismarck palm is drought tolerant and disease resistant. This outstanding tree even seems to resist sooty mold.

Little work and maintenance are required after the tree has established. This native to Madagascar, the Bismark palm, is named for a German politician, and the epithet ‘nobilis’ is from the Latin word noble.

Plant Uses:

• Ornamental
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers

High Risk Traits:

• Suited to tropical/subtropical climates
  
• Tolerates diverse soil types
  
• Fleshy fruits potentially bird-dispersed
  
• Fire-tolerant

Low Risk Traits:

• Not naturalized outside native range
  
• No weed history
  
• No weedy congeners (monotypic genus)
  
• Lacks spines/thorns
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Requires full sun (shade-intolerant)
  
• Dioecious (requires male and female plants)
  
• Slow-growing with late maturity
  
• Low seed production
  
• Short-lived seeds (no persistent seed bank)
  
• Limited dispersal mechanisms