Giriba palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana, Fieldiana, Bot. 31: 382 (1968))

Family: Arecaceae

Author: (Cham.) Glassman

Bibliography: Fieldiana, Bot. 31: 382 (1968)

Year: 1968

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Syagrus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Brazil to NE. Argentina

Description

The Giriba palm, scientifically known as Syagrus romanzoffiana, is an elegant member of the Arecaceae family. Characterized by its tall, slender trunk and gracefully arching fronds, this palm is celebrated for its ornamental value and adaptability.

Native to a wide geographical range, the Giriba palm flourishes from Brazil to northeastern Argentina. This broad distribution speaks to the plant’s versatility and resilience in various climates. It is often found in both natural habitats and cultivated landscapes, thriving in a variety of environmental conditions.

The Giriba palm’s trunk is smooth and gray, often marked with distinctive horizontal rings, which are the scars of old leaf bases. The pinnate leaves, which emerge in a crown at the top of the trunk, are bright green, feathery, and can reach impressive lengths. These leaves not only provide aesthetic beauty but also create a soothing, tropical ambiance wherever they are planted.

Blooming in warmer months, the Giriba palm produces small, cream-colored flowers that cluster on branched inflorescences. Following the flowering period, the palm bears small, round fruits that turn from green to a vibrant orange as they mature. These fruits are not only visually appealing but also attract a variety of bird species, contributing to local biodiversity.

The Giriba palm, documented in the publication Fieldiana, Botany 31: 382 in 1968 by (Cham.) Glassman, continues to be a subject of botanical interest and horticultural practice. Its robust nature and stately appearance make it a favored choice for urban landscaping, parks, and garden collections.

In cultivation, the Giriba palm prefers well-drained soil, ample sunlight, and regular watering, especially during its establishment phase. Once matured, it demonstrates notable drought tolerance, reducing its maintenance requirements significantly. Gardeners and landscapers appreciate this palm for its low-maintenance nature and its striking form, which can serve as a focal point in both expansive and compact spaces.

Overall, the Giriba palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) stands as a remarkable and resilient species within the Arecaceae family, admired for its beauty, robustness, and ecological contributions across its native and introduced ranges.

Common Names

Eng: queen palm, giriba palm
Swe: drottningpalm
Por: geriva, jarobá, jeriva
Deu: romanzoffianische kokospalme
En: Giriba palm, Queen palm
Fr: Palmier reine
De: Romanzoffianische Kokospalme
Pt: Geriva, Jarobá, Jeriva, Jerivá
Sv: Drottningpalm

Synonyms

• Syagrus plumosa ((Hook.f.) Bosse)
• Calappa martiana ((Drude & Glaz.) Kuntze)
• Cocos arechavaletana (Barb.Rodr.)
• Arecastrum romanzoffianum ((Cham.) Becc.)
• Cocos plumosa (Hook.f.)
• Calappa australis ((Mart.) Kuntze)
• Arecastrum romanzoffianum var. australe ((Mart.) Becc.)
• Calappa romanzoffiana ((Cham.) Kuntze)
• Arecastrum romanzoffianum subvar. minus (Becc.)
• Calappa plumosa ((Hook.f.) Kuntze)
• Cocos romanzoffiana (Cham.)
• Cocos datil (Drude & Griseb.)
• Arecastrum romanzoffianum var. genuinum (Becc.)
• Arecastrum romanzoffianum var. micropindo (Becc.)
• Cocos geriba (Barb.Rodr.)
• Cocos martiana (Drude & Glaz.)
• Cocos romanzoffiana var. plumosa ((Hook.f.) A.Berger)
• Cocos acrocomioides (Drude)
• Cocos australis (Mart.)
• Calappa acrocomioides ((Drude) Kuntze)
• Calappa datil ((Drude & Griseb.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Florida (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Geneviève Botti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2018 by Georges LÉGER (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Jadur Mariana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Renau Vallés María Lidón (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2019 by Barbaroto de Araújo Júlio César (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2021 by BF Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2019 by Bachega Riis (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Aug 17, 2021 by Lamberti Alfredo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2022 by Kathy Boulton (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2021 by ejc14747 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by João Herrera (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Correa Marcolino João Guilherme (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Senger Mario (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by George Dijksman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2020 by Makoto Makoto (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 24, 2020 by Josefina Gomez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Heather Brewer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 24, 2022 by C Vdb (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by Martins Eva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2019 by a zahidi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by augusto sergio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2022 by Acilio Leão José (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5293897)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:246966-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree

Growth