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Ugly Palms

chris.oz
chris.oz
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

Featured Replies

OK, so this is a palm lovers forum, but surely some of you must

dislike the look of some palms you have seen.

I believe that it is not guaranteed that any species will look good in humans eyes.

I am surprised that so many palm species do have appeal to us, since appeal to humans should not be

a characteristic that is favoured in evolutionary terms.

OK to palms ......

Some species of Livistona. They can look messy and untidy.

Some species of Syagrus. eg. Syagrus coronata

Surely you have planted a palm, only to think later....

"I should have planted xxxx in that spot, it looks much better".

chris.oz

Bayside Melbourne 38 deg S. Winter Minimum 0 C over past 6 years

Yippee, the drought is over.

Hi Chris,

Some of the Phoenix species aren't going to win any beauty contest......(acaulis, paludosa)

Same with Attalea in my opinion.

Also, some Syagrus species look fairly average to me....maybe it's just the photos I've seen...

Regards

Michael.

Just north of Cairns, Australia....16 Deg S.
Tropical climate: from 19C to 34C.

Spending a lot of time in Manila, Philippines... 15 Deg N.
Tropical climate: from 24C to 35C.

CIDP...fat ugly and spikey. Also Nanorrhops, Washies and nearly all clumping species.

Peachy

I came. I saw. I purchased

 

 

27.35 south.

Warm subtropical, with occasional frosts.

  • Author

Michael,

Yes, if you have Jones, Palms in Australia, look at Syagrus coronata on P 229.

That may cause you to dislike that species.

However, maybe a crappy looking palm has redeeming features.

For instance check the Lears Macaws in this Syagrus coronata.

Lears-Image22.jpg

[image not copied, but linked to. ]

Edited by chris.oz

chris.oz

Bayside Melbourne 38 deg S. Winter Minimum 0 C over past 6 years

Yippee, the drought is over.

Strange you don't like CIDP! for me it is the palm par excellence, if you don't like CIDP you don't like palm trees.....

The ugliest to me : Copernicia macroglossa

Z9b, Crozon peninsula, Brittany, the far west region of France

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    • Like 1

    Should perhaps be "Palms that don't do anything for you". "Ugly" is a bit too harshly subjective. But I guess it would have to be Phoenix that don't do much for me.

    •
    • Like 1

    The only ugly palm is one that is poorly grown. Even the much disparaged Queen palm is a spectacular beauty when well grown.

    Ron

    Wellington, Florida

    Zone 11 in my mind

    Zone 10a 9a in reality

    13miles West of the Atlantic in Palm Beach County

    • Like 1

    Dypsis Decaryi for me. That thing is the Shrek of palm trees. But an ugly palm is still better than a nice pine tree!

    Living in the valley of the dirt people in the inland empire, "A mullet on every head and a methlab in every kitchen." If you can't afford to live in the tropics, then bring the tropics to you!

    Like the general public, I don't like any palm that looks dirty or messy. Unpruned washingtonias and unmanaged clumping varieties fit this description. Never really cared for the trachycarpus varieties. Misuse of a palm (out of scale, location, etc) irritates me as well. I prefer clean, properly managed and well designed aesthetics.

    LA | NY | OC

    A queen with 2 fronds.. :blink:

    Aiphanes doesn't really impress me....

    -Jonathan

    Edited by Xenon

    Jonathan
     

    I think the biggest problem with palm preference comes from palm books. For many species it is the only way we can get a visual of them. If you see a poor photo of a palm you may dismiss it out of hand. However it may be one of your favourites if you saw a good picture of it or if you saw it in person. Point in case Dypsis decipiens (first impression was from a poor photo in a palm book) therefore I disliked it. Another one is Sabal mauritiiformis, I have still not seen too many good pics of one, however when I saw it in person it was a superb palm.

    Also after seeing a couple of pics I believed that Latania Verschaffeti was the least impressive of the species. However in person to me it was by far the most impressive.

    Sol Cooper

    Hobart Tasmania

    42 degrees South

    Mild climate - mostly frost free

    Hmm....

    The species with the old man palm, all of those palms I HATE.

    The sabal mauritfifformis or something like that, it's ugly.

    The cocos nucifera. (JUST KIDDING ^_^)

    Thrinax

    Trithinrax

    Livistona

    Rhapodyllium hystrix

    Mauritia Flexuosa

    Palms I LOVE..

    Washingtonia<3

    Phoenix (all except rupicola, sylvestris, and theophrasti)

    Cocos nucifera

    pritchardia pacifica

    sometimes sabal palmetto

    jubaea

    and cyrtostachys

    me is very picky!!

    Milwaukee, WI to Ocala, FL

    Sago Palm.

    Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

    "The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

    -George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

    I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

    I don't think any palms are ugly as a group, even tho individuals can be. But I like the short bushy palms somewhat less. I love the giant palms, especially big washies and CIDPs.

    Odessa, Tx on the southern Llano Estacado! USDA Z7b, Arborday.org Z8

    •
    • Upvote 1

    I don't think their exists an ugly palm if it's healthy. Now a diseased palm will look ugly and pathetic and a CIDP pruned back to 2 fronds and a pineapple for a base looks ugly. I've never really gone for Nannorhops probably because I've never seen one, but the pictures I've seen are a messy fan palm thing that grows along the ground. Try and plant that in someones garden. It doesn't have the palm look most people want.

    Best regards

    Tyrone

    Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

     

     

    Sago Palm.

    That and the Cardboard palm, whew, those babies disgrace the palm world :)

    Edited by freakypalmguy

    Matt in Temecula, CA

    Hot and dry in the summer, cold with light frost in the winter. Halfway between the desert and ocean

    • Upvote 1

    Phoenix palms have always been my least favorite. But, I am growing Chamaedorea plumosa and at this stage of growth, they are the most unattractive palms in my collection.

    Formerly Jeff in Costa Rica
     

    Sago Palm.

    That and the Cardboard palm, whew, those babies disgrace the palm world :)

    Yep.

    Zone 10a at best after 2007 AND 2013, on SW facing hill, 1 1/2 miles from coast in Oceanside, CA. 30-98 degrees, and 45-80deg. about 95% of the time.

    "The great workman of nature is time."   ,  "Genius is nothing but a great aptitude for patience."

    -George-Louis Leclerc de Buffon-

    I do some experiments and learning in my garden with palms so you don't have to experience the pain! Look at my old threads to find various observations and tips!

    Big established Washies are amazing, specially filifera, but also robusta!

    CIDP is really a reference!

    Maybe Dypsis decarii, the less beautiful...but still beautiful!

    By the way, hate cycads... :blink:

    Furadouro and Ovar, zone 9b/10a.
    PORTUGAL
    http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=20668
    http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/31527-my-new-garden-ovar-january2012/

    Sago Palm.

    That and the Cardboard palm, whew, those babies disgrace the palm world :)

    Yep.

    Those are cycads . . . .

    Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

    Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

    All of the palms are beautiful in their own way, but, some are certainly prettier than others.

    Hmm. Syagrus vagrans, unpruned Washies, Phoenix acaulis, well they're just this side of Butt-Ugly . . . .

    Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

    Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

    Sabal, Trachycarpus, and most Dypsis.

    Best are well-maintained CIDPs and Archontophoenix.

    Adam 

     

    PHOENIX!!! enough said...

    Ari & Scott

    Darwin, NT, Australia

    -12°32'53" 131°10'20"

    Sago Palm.

    That and the Cardboard palm, whew, those babies disgrace the palm world :)

    Yep.

    Don't forget the Ponytail palm, not even a palm's bottom in my humble opinion.. :lol:

    Happy Gardening

    Cheers,

    Wal

    Queensland, Australia.

    PHOENIX!!! enough said...

    Typical statement from a Carpentaria lover.

    I came. I saw. I purchased

     

     

    27.35 south.

    Warm subtropical, with occasional frosts.

    Hyophorbe lagenicaulis. I will happily envision any palm reaching maturity, except this one.

    Sabal, Trachycarpus, and most Dypsis.

    Best are well-maintained CIDPs and Archontophoenix.

    What??

    I doubt few people are familiar with most Dypsis to be able to make such a judgement.

    Queens are the ugliest. Bar none.

    By the way, please pardon my ignorance, but what's CDIP ??? :unsure:

    Manny

    Sorry, CIDP !

    Queens are the ugliest. Bar none.

    By the way, please pardon my ignorance, but what's CDIP ??? :unsure:

    Manny

    Manny, CIDP stands for Canary Island Date Palm. I guess Phoenix canariensis is too long to type.... :rolleyes:

    Formerly Jeff in Costa Rica
     

    Oh, dang!

    Let's go to a pub, and have us a fist-fight!

    Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

    Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

    Queens are the ugliest. Bar none.

    By the way, please pardon my ignorance, but what's CDIP ??? :unsure:

    Manny

    Maybe queens where you live, Manny, but I see many spectacular specimens here even if they are common (fat trunks, deep green leaves, huge graceful fronds. Good soil, water, mild weather, and good genes and you've got a queen palm that's a beauty IMO.

    Washingtonias with ratty skirts are not pretty and any palm that's over pruned is ugly to my eye. Other than that, I can't find much fault in other palms and I love cycads too.

    Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

    zone 10a/9b

    sunset zone 16

    300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

    Las Palmas Design

    Facebook Page

    Las Palmas Design & Associates

    Elegant Homes and Gardens

    Sabal, Trachycarpus, and most Dypsis.

    Best are well-maintained CIDPs and Archontophoenix.

    I agree that CIDPs and Archontophoenix are beautiful palms but I was surprised that anyone would find most Dypsis to be ugly! :angry: Dypsis as a genus has some of the most beautiful and colorful species on the planet. :drool: Oh well. to each his own. :)

    Jim in Los Altos, CA  SF Bay Area 37.34N- 122.13W- 190' above sea level

    zone 10a/9b

    sunset zone 16

    300+ palms, 90+ species in the ground

    Las Palmas Design

    Facebook Page

    Las Palmas Design & Associates

    Elegant Homes and Gardens

    Yea I can't understand the Dypsis everyone is different and has their own opinions though... I can't believe how many people dont like Phoenix. I can understand some of the phoenix specimens don't look the best, but def. not ugly! I don't think there is an ugly palm in my opinion unless like stated above, has a disease, way overcut/ hurricane cut. if palms are healthy and look how they are suppose to I don't think there is anything as a ugly palm just my opinion. Maybe some palms are much more attractive than others but not ugly.

    Queens are the ugliest. Bar none.

    Manny

    Damn it took to post 29 for the common QUEEN to make an appearance on the ugliest list?

    The funny thing is if this palm was a new rare discovery ,everyone would be lining up to get seeds or a seedlings! :lol:

    Amazing the ugly duckling of the dypsis genus hasn't shown up...Dypsis plumosa aka fine leaf! I'm still amazed that the Dypsis crew think any dypsis is unattractive!

    Any palm if well watered, fertilized, and taken care of is a thing of beauty,but some more than others! :winkie:

    Edited by gsn

    Scott

    Titusville, FL

    1/2 mile from the Indian River

    USDA Zone COLD

    •
    • Upvote 1

    I beg to differ, Scott... it doesn't matter how rare things are, if I don't like it, it won't be in my garden (unless of course my Scott likes it :rolleyes: and I can't convince him otherwise...). I don't see myself as collector... I see myself as gardeners...

    Regards, Ari :)

    Ari & Scott

    Darwin, NT, Australia

    -12°32'53" 131°10'20"

    Ugly old man palm

    IMG_4872-1-1-1-1.jpg

    or maybe a ugly copernicia ?

    IMG_8790.jpg

    not sure which is worse.

    David

    •
    • Upvote 1

    Ugly old man palm

    or maybe a ugly copernicia ?

    not sure which is worse.

    Though decision i must agree. I saw few really ugly CIDPs, they really poke my eyes. I cannot decide wich one is uglier.

    post-4039-12733732527665_thumb.jpg

    post-4039-12733732770172_thumb.jpg

    post-4039-12733732885357_thumb.jpg

    •
    • Upvote 1

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