Last night I realized the boots of my seed-grown Roystonea violacea were ready to fall off. I peeled them away and discovered about 18" of pink/purple trunk. It's the real deal! It is the sole germination success of 20 seeds I bought from RPS 6-7 years ago before customs cracked down on plant material from overseas. See link below for more info on this rare, endangered palm from the eastern tip of Cuba.

https://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Roystonea_violacea

It survived Hurricane Ian last year with only windburn and a 60-degree lean to the south. It has since straightened to almost vertical and replaced damaged fronds so only the boots remained to hide its trunk. In the photos below you can see scars on its crown shaft from hurricane debris. Eventually, it will grow out of that damage. It will be smaller (up to 50')  and more gracile than behemoth Roystonea regia. Still a juvenile, however, but I hope I live long enough to see it flower.

Roystonea violacea, Cape Coral, FL, October 2023

I planted these 3 at a local botanical garden from the same seed batch and they're doing well. 

@PalmatierMeg how's this one looking? Hope all is going well Meg

On 4/2/2026 at 7:57 AM, Jdash said:

@PalmatierMeg how's this one looking? Hope all is going well Meg

Continuing to do well despite storm damage and a record cold winter. Still hasn't flowered of set seeds. I need to get out and take photos.