Palms
Native / Non-native
Palms - Arecales
Alexandra Palm - Archontophoenix alexandrae Fishtail Palm - Caryota mitis Coconut Palm - Cocos nucifera Rattan Palm - Daemonorops jenkinsiana Bamboo Palm - Dypsis lutescens Bottle Palm - Hyophorbe lagenicaulis |
Vanuatu Fan-Palm - Licuala grandis
Chinese Fan-Palm - Livistona chinensis Date Palm - Phoenix dactylifera Spiny Date Palm - Phoenix loureiroi Dwarf Date Palm - Phoenix roebelenii Little Lady Palm - Rhapis excelsa Royal Palm - Roystonea regia |
Cycads - Cycadales
Sago Palm - Cycas revoluta |
Palms - Arecales
Alexandra Palm 假檳榔 Archontophoenix alexandrae
Native to Queensland, Australia, this species is widely planted as an ornamental tree throughout Hong Kong. Also known as a King Palm or Alexander Palm. The trunk is thin and it grows to a medium height for a palm.
Fishtail Palm 魚尾葵 Caryota mitis
A common addition to parks and gardens, the fishtail palm is named for the shape of its jagged, torn-looking leaves. Although native to southern China, including Guangdong province it is classed as an exotic in Hong Kong.
Coconut Palm 椰 Cocos nucifera
This tropical palm is often planted in coastal locations to give a tropical vibe. They seem to do quite well in Hong Kong's subtropical climate.
Rattan Palm 黃藤 Daemonorops jenkinsiana
This spiky palm is widespread in tropical Asia. The core of the stem is used for its fibres.
Bamboo Palm 散尾葵 Dypsis lutescens
Native to Madagascar, this medium-sized palm is used extensively, often in clumps in parks and gardens in Hong Kong. The trunk has sections, and can resemble bamboo. Other names for this palm are: areca palm, golden cane palm and butterfly palm.
Bottle Palm 酒樽椰子 Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
Native to Mauritius it is almost extinct in the wild, but widely planted as an ornamental in tropical countries. Recognisable by its short stature and a swollen trunk.
Vanuatu Fan Palm 圓葉刺軸櫚 Licuala grandis
Also known as a 'ruffled fan palm' it is native to Vanuatu in the South Pacific.
Chinese Fan-Palm 蒲葵 Livistona chinensis
A very common palm in Hong Kong. Bats can and do roost under the leaves during the daytime.
Date Palm Phoenix dactylifera
Originating in the Middle East, this palm is occasionally grown in Hong Kong's parks.
Spiny Date Palm 刺葵 Phoenix loureiroi
A native species, it seems to grow in almost any location: woodland, seashore, scrubland etc. It is present as a wild species from India to the Philippines.
Dwarf Date Palm 江邊刺葵 Phoenix roebelenii
Native to Yunnan, Laos and Vietnam this small palm tree is a common addition to Hong Kong's parks, gardens and even the roadsides in Kowloon where it is a convenient plant to grow due to its small size.
Lady Palm 棕竹 Rhapis excelsa
Native to Hong Kong this small fan-shaped palm grows well in shaded conditions, and is often planted in places like road underpasses or very shady areas of parks to provide foliage.
Royal Palm 大王椰子 Roystonea regia
Native to Cuba and Florida this is the national tree of Cuba. It is used as a tall ornamental in Hong Kong. It's the tallest type of palm tree in Hong Kong, and being native to Cuba it can withstand the typhoons coming in from the South China Sea.
Cycads - Cycadales
Sago Palm 蘇鐵 Cycas revoluta
Native to southern Japan and the Ryukyu Islands. This short tree is planted in parks and gardens in Hong Kong. It is a cycad rather than a true palm and is one of several plants used for the production of sago.