What is this on my palm?

[Mrslowpwr]

Can anyone tell me what this is growing from my palm? Does anything need to be done with this? In the past I've just cut them off.

Also does anyone know what kind of palm that is? I bought it at the Orlando Florida airport. It was less than a foot tall and came in a box. 

Edited February 22, 2019 by Mrslowpwr

[zoli]

That's the beginning of an inflorescence as far as I can tell. Pretty awesome that it's flowering indoors like that at that size.

[Mrslowpwr]

So this is normal and a good thing? I cant believe I've always cut these of.

[Merlyn]

That's really wild, I've never seen a palm grow a bright red string in such an odd manner!    Cutting off the seed stalk is just fine, some people recommend it so the palm doesn't waste energy growing seeds that won't be used.  Depending on the type of palm, they might not be viable.  Some palms are dioecious so you'd need a male and female plant for them to be pollinated.  I cut them off because I don't want a bunch of volunteer seedlings and the seeds can make a big mess.  But at least you know your plant is happy and healthy!

Regarding the palm type, it kind of looks like a Chamaedorea elegans, a.k.a. the "Parlor Palm."

[Steve Mac]

Yes, a female parlor palm, it will make little flowers but not seeds without a male one to fertilize them.

[Rickybobby]

I love seeing flowering indoor palms! Good one!

[Fusca]

My Chamaedorea elegans is about the same size as yours and is flowering as well (female also).  I've got a Chamaedorea cataractum that's about to flower as well so I might introduce them and see what happens!

[Pal Meir]

If it is a female the flowers will dry but not drop, if it is a male the flowers will drop soon after drying.

[Pal Meir]

Here an old (antique?) pic of a flowering female and another one of the flowers of one my palms :

 

And this palm has still only buds like yours: