Identifying a possible hybrid

[MJSanDiego]

HelloI couldn't find too much info regarding very detailed specific hybrid characteristics of a hybrid  (Mule) of Syagrus Romanzoffiana, the Queen palm. I might get heat for saying this but of the thousands of palm species I still believe the Queen is one of the most beautiful and graceful palms IF planting in the proper zone (10a, 10b, 11 only), watered well as it's not really as drought tolerant as they claim, if you want it to be lush, tropical and graceful. Anyway I bought two babies 1 gallon pots at Home Depot. Planted 2 years ago.  The trunks and the way they have grow are completely different. I even compared with the large 15 gallon queens at Home Depot which is about how big they are now. Check out the pics. The pure Queen is the one where the old browned and done leaf bases are wide, and separating far from the base as the trunk widens. But look at the other pic. I have not even cut one single frond off in 2 years, even the original ones from when I bought it two years ago, as they are firm, attached to trunk, not separating. And thin. The trunk is widening but growing completely different. I do not believe this is some variant of the pure Queen. I believe this is a Queen palm hybrid with a Pindo (Mule) and I am not happy.  The fronds are also not arching and graceful like the queen but more straight up with a bend at the end. It is super ugly. I've seen mature Mule palms and I do not like them whatsoever. They do not look at all like the pure Queen.  Can anyone confirm if this could be a Mule palm or something else? Thank you, San Diego California USA

[JLM]

On 7/9/2024 at 1:23 PM, MJSanDiego said:

HelloI couldn't find too much info regarding very detailed specific hybrid characteristics of a hybrid  (Mule) of Syagrus Romanzoffiana, the Queen palm. I might get heat for saying this but of the thousands of palm species I still believe the Queen is one of the most beautiful and graceful palms IF planting in the proper zone (10a, 10b, 11 only), watered well as it's not really as drought tolerant as they claim, if you want it to be lush, tropical and graceful. Anyway I bought two babies 1 gallon pots at Home Depot. Planted 2 years ago.  The trunks and the way they have grow are completely different. I even compared with the large 15 gallon queens at Home Depot which is about how big they are now. Check out the pics. The pure Queen is the one where the old browned and done leaf bases are wide, and separating far from the base as the trunk widens. But look at the other pic. I have not even cut one single frond off in 2 years, even the original ones from when I bought it two years ago, as they are firm, attached to trunk, not separating. And thin. The trunk is widening but growing completely different. I do not believe this is some variant of the pure Queen. I believe this is a Queen palm hybrid with a Pindo (Mule) and I am not happy.  The fronds are also not arching and graceful like the queen but more straight up with a bend at the end. It is super ugly. I've seen mature Mule palms and I do not like them whatsoever. They do not look at all like the pure Queen.  Can anyone confirm if this could be a Mule palm or something else? Thank you, San Diego California USA

Both look like standard queens in your pictures, but pictures of the fronds and whole palm would be helpful.

The hybrid cross you mention *usually* has burgundy leaf bases, but not always. So again, pictures of the fronds and whole palm would be very helpful here.