Portuguese palms

[Pargomad]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to create this topic to talk about Portuguese palm trees. Unlike what most people would think, Portugal has a lot of potential when it comes to the different palm species that could grow there. In fact, the different climates of the country and its islands are ideal for growing different palm species. Of course, anyone wishing to share photos or information is welcome to do so. 

I'd like to show you a few photos I've taken of different species growing in Lisbon's gardens and parks. Lisbon isn't exactly known for being a palmy destination. Most of the palm trees there have been wiped out by the red weevil and local authorities haven't done much to prevent this. As a result, there are hardly any palm trees left in the city, whereas 15 years ago, there was a thriving number of Canary Island date palms.  

The warmest parts in and around Lisbon belong to zone 10b.  Zone 10b is one of the warmest zones, and it has specific characteristics and implications for palm trees: it has a minimum average annual temperature range of 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 to 4.4 degrees Celsius). This means that winter temperatures rarely fall below freezing, providing a relatively warm climate. Zone 10b typically has a long growing season with mild winters, allowing for the cultivation of a wide variety of plants, including tropical and subtropical species. Consequently, Lisbon is well-suited for the cultivation of a wide range of palm species. Many tropical palms thrive in warm, frost-free climates and can handle the consistently mild temperatures of this zone. Additionally, local climate conditions, including variations in rainfall and humidity, should be considered for successful palm cultivation.

 

Lisbon Part I

Without further ado, here are photos of some of Lisbon's palm trees. Let's start with the most common palm species:

- Phoenix canariensis

Once the undisputed master of Lisbon's urban landscape, the Canary Island date palm has become a rare sight in the city nowadays, especially the mature specimens. It was the most common palm species 20 years ago. It was commonly grown in private gardens, public parks and in entire avenues and streets. It had even become subspontaneous, colonizing bushes and abandoned land. Now, only a few fully-grown specimens remain.

 

 

- Phoenix dactylifera

Probably the first non-indigenous palm introduced in Lisbon (possibly during the Muslim period), it is (or was) nevertheless less popular than its Canarian cousin. This species is also vulnerable to the red weevil. 

- Washingtonia robusta 

This is probably the most common palm species in Lisbon today.

- Washingtonia filifera

Very common in Lisbon, although less popular than its Mexican sister.

 

- Chamaerops humilis

The country's only indigenous species, its range once extended from the Algarve through the Alentejo to the Serra da Arrábida (a few km south of Lisbon). Today, it grows spontaneously mainly in the Algarve, with, allegedly, a few survivors in Alentejo and Caparica, on the other side of Lisbon. It is also commonly used as an ornamental species. 

 

NEXT PART COMING SOON 

 

Edited December 15, 2023 by Pargomad

[Pargomad]

Lisbon Part II

For the second part, I'm going to show you some photos of palm trees that are frequent in Lisbon's gardens and parks.  

- Howea forsteriana

Howea forsteriana, commonly known as the Kentia Palm, is native to Lord Howe Island in the South Pacific, this palm species has found a welcoming home in Lisbon's mild climate, characterized by warm summers and mild winters. The palm's glossy, dark green fronds add a touch of tropical allure to the city's landscape.

 

- Syagrus romanzoffiana

Originating from South America, particularly in Brazil and Argentina, this palm species has adapted seamlessly to the favorable growing conditions of Lisbon's climate.

 

- Brahea armata

While not as widespread as some other palm varieties, the Mexican Blue Palm can be found in many gardens and parks in the city. Native to Baja California in Mexico, this palm is recognized for its striking blue-grayish fronds and a stout trunk adorned with persistent leaf bases.

 

TO BE CONTINUED

Edited December 15, 2023 by Pargomad

[Little Tex]

This is really good! I know Spain has quite a few Jubaea have you come across any in Portugal?

[RichardHemsley]

Great photos,  thanks for sharing 

[ruskinPalms]

Great stuff! I really love the look of those Howea 

[Silas_Sancona]

Great shots, and perfectly organized photo grouping of your thread.. 

Really enjoying both the impressive Brahea,  and Howea  specimens..  Group of Yucca ( ..Thinking Y. rostrata  ) in the second to last picture ( Below and to the left of that particular B. armata specimen ) too.

[Las Palmas Norte]

That multi trunked Phoenix canariensis in the park setting is insane!

[Pargomad]

Lisbon Part III

For the third part, I'm going to show you some palms that aren't as common as the species shown above, but which you may come across in some of the city's gardens and parks.

- Phoenix reclinata

The Senegal date palm is a palm species that can be found growing in various locations in Lisbon. Characterized by its arching fronds and stout trunk, this species is native to several African regions and is well-adapted to Lisbon's Mediterranean climate.

 

- Phoenix reclinata x canariensis

It's certainly possible that hybridization has occurred between Phoenix reclinata and Phoenix canariensis in Lisbon. Hybridization between different Phoenix species, including Phoenix reclinata and Phoenix canariensis, is known to happen, and new hybrids may be developed for various reasons, such as improved cold hardiness, resistance to diseases, or unique aesthetic qualities. In fact, these specimens do not seem to have been affected by the red weevil, unlike 90% of the Canary date palms. 

 

 

- Livistona australis

Livistona australis, commonly known as the Australian cabbage palm or cabbage tree palm, is native to eastern Australia and has been cultivated in various gardens and parks across Lisbon.

 

- Livistona chinensis 

Livistona chinensis, commonly known as the Chinese fan palm, is native to Southern Japan, Taiwan, and several provinces in China. In Lisbon, Livistona chinensis specimens are often planted in public parks, gardens, and urban landscapes. 

 

- Trachycarpus fortunei

Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as the Windmill Palm, is native to eastern Asia, including China. A notable characteristic of Trachycarpus fortunei is its remarkable cold hardiness, making it particularly suitable for cultivation in temperate cool regions.  Although Lisbon's climate is warmer, we still see a few specimens in some gardens and parks.  

 

- Rhopalostylis sapida

Rhopalostylis sapida, commonly known as the Nikau palm, native to New Zealand, has been cultivated in various gardens and parks in Sintra. and Lisbon.  

 

NEXT PART TOMORROW

Edited December 16, 2023 by Pargomad

[Pargomad]

17 hours ago, Little Tex said:

This is really good! I know Spain has quite a few Jubaea have you come across any in Portugal?

Thank you! Yes, I've seen very few specimens and tomorrow I will show you one growing in a botanical garden in Lisbon

10 hours ago, RichardHemsley said:

Great photos,  thanks for sharing 

4 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Great shots, and perfectly organized photo grouping of your thread.. 

Really enjoying both the impressive Brahea,  and Howea  specimens..  Group of Yucca ( ..Thinking Y. rostrata  ) in the second to last picture ( Below and to the left of that particular B. armata specimen ) too.

4 hours ago, ruskinPalms said:

Great stuff! I really love the look of those Howea 

Thank you guys ! The Howea are really impressive, as if they were in their natural environment. Actually, I think those are Yucca elata if I'm not mistaken.

3 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

That multi trunked Phoenix canariensis in the park setting is insane!

It is! But I think it's a date palm, Phoenix dactylifera.

[Silas_Sancona]

16 minutes ago, Pargomad said:

Actually, I think those are Yucca elata if I'm not mistaken.

Y. elata  tends to be greener,  Every one i've seen planted and out in habitat,  here anyway...  w/ all the stringy filaments sticking out between the leaves..   Specimens in your shot look cleaner to my eye.. Foliage also looks more relaxed, compared to elata.

Here's Y. elata..

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/170387-Yucca-elata

..Y.  rostrata.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/290877-Yucca-rostrata

..Another possibility, if available in the Nursery Trade there, might be Y. thompsoniana.  Tough to say for sure though w/out some close ups of the leaves..  Good lookin' regardless,

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/170396-Yucca-thompsoniana

[Axel Amsterdam]

Very nice overview! I took this picture of an archontophoenix in the wonderful town of Sintra. 

[Las Palmas Norte]

1 hour ago, Pargomad said:

It is! But I think it's a date palm, Phoenix dactylifera.

You're right.

[Cindy Adair]

This is really interesting and nicely presented showing multiple photos of palms I rarely see in Puerto Rico.

Excellent reference should I be able to visit Portugal one day.

Thank you Pargomad!

[Tyrone]

I was reading this thread last night while a documentary was on TV about the railways of Portugal which featured Lisbon and the gardens of Sintra and I was eyeing off the Archontophoenix etc in those gardens, and then the next day here are the pictures of the same gardens in Sintra. It looks like a beautiful place. 

[Pargomad]

3 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Y. elata  tends to be greener,  Every one i've seen planted and out in habitat,  here anyway...  w/ all the stringy filaments sticking out between the leaves..   Specimens in your shot look cleaner to my eye.. Foliage also looks more relaxed, compared to elata.

Here's Y. elata..

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/170387-Yucca-elata

..Y.  rostrata.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/290877-Yucca-rostrata

..Another possibility, if available in the Nursery Trade there, might be Y. thompsoniana.  Tough to say for sure though w/out some close ups of the leaves..  Good lookin' regardless,

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/170396-Yucca-thompsoniana

I'm not sure. Here's a more detailed photo:

2 hours ago, Axel Amsterdam said:

Very nice overview! I took this picture of an archontophoenix in the wonderful town of Sintra. 

Beautiful ! 

1 hour ago, Cindy Adair said:

This is really interesting and nicely presented showing multiple photos of palms I rarely see in Puerto Rico.

Excellent reference should I be able to visit Portugal one day.

Thank you Pargomad!

Thank you !

[Silas_Sancona]

7 minutes ago, Pargomad said:

'm not sure. Here's a more detailed photo:

Definitely leaning toward rostrata or thompsoniana.. first to admit i'm not the greatest at separating these two at times, lol  

If you haven't yet already, feel free to check out the following thread..   Feel free to add any you have...  ..or might  come across there in the future
 

 

[Pargomad]

Lisbon Part IV

Today, I'm going to show you some of the rarer palms in Lisbon. Some of them can only be seen in one particular garden or park. 

- Roystonea regia

Roystonea regia, commonly known as the Royal Palm, is native to Caribbean regions. These specimens, though very rare, add a tropical touch to the city's green spaces. 

 

- Bismarckia nobilis

Native to Madagascar, the Bismarck Palm stands out for its distinctive features. In Lisbon's parks, the Bismarckia nobilis showcases a robust and solitary trunk, topped with a crown of large, silver-blue, fan-shaped leaves.

 

- Howea belmoreana

Howea belmoreana, commonly referred to as the Kentia Palm, is a species of palm native to Lord Howe Island, characterized by its distinctive leaves that exhibit a gentle curvature. However, it is less common in Lisbon than its sister, Howea forsteriana. 

 

- Jubaea chilensis

Jubaea chilensis, commonly known as the Chilean Wine Palm, is a remarkable species of palm tree native to central Chile. There used to be more specimens in Lisbon's green spaces. Today, there is only one, as far as I'm aware, in a botanical garden.

 

- Brahea edulis

Brahea edulis, commonly known as the Guadalupe Palm or Guadalupe Fan Palm, is a distinctive palm species indigenous to Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. 

 

- Sabal mexicana

Sabal mexicana, commonly known as the Mexican Sabal or Rio Grande Palmetto, is a palm species native to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas in the United States. Sabal mexicana is appreciated for its ornamental value and suitability for subtropical and tropical landscapes.

 

- Sabal palmetto

Sabal palmetto, commonly known as the Cabbage Palm or Sabal Palm, is a prominent palm species native to the southeastern United States, ranging from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas.  

 

- Sabal minor

Sabal minor, commonly known as the Dwarf Palmetto or Palmetto Palm, is a resilient palm species native to the southeastern United States, extending from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast. 

 

- Chamaedorea pochutlensis

Chamaedorea pochutlensis is a species of palm native to Mexico, specifically found in the Pochutla District of Oaxaca. Cultivation of Chamaedorea pochutlensis is well-suited for subtropical and tropical climates, where it thrives in well-drained soils and partial shade. 

 

MORE SPECIES COMING SOON

 

[Banana Belt]

On 12/17/2023 at 1:25 PM, Pargomad said:

There used to be more specimens in Lisbon's green spaces. Today, there is only one

Only one Jubaea in Lisbon?  That is rather odd, "number one being the loneliest number".  Why?

[Stelios]

A very well grown with full crown phoenix roebelenii at Miradouro de Sao Pedro.

[Stelios]

Some palms from Sintra

Palacio de quinta da regaleira

Butia at Palacio da Pena

[Alex High]

On 12/17/2023 at 4:25 PM, Pargomad said:

Lisbon Part IV

Today, I'm going to show you some of the rarer palms in Lisbon. Some of them can only be seen in one particular garden or park. 

- Roystonea regia

Roystonea regia, commonly known as the Royal Palm, is native to Caribbean regions. These specimens, though very rare, add a tropical touch to the city's green spaces. 

 

- Bismarckia nobilis

Native to Madagascar, the Bismarck Palm stands out for its distinctive features. In Lisbon's parks, the Bismarckia nobilis showcases a robust and solitary trunk, topped with a crown of large, silver-blue, fan-shaped leaves.

 

- Howea belmoreana

Howea belmoreana, commonly referred to as the Kentia Palm, is a species of palm native to Lord Howe Island, characterized by its distinctive leaves that exhibit a gentle curvature. However, it is less common in Lisbon than its sister, Howea forsteriana. 

 

- Jubaea chilensis

Jubaea chilensis, commonly known as the Chilean Wine Palm, is a remarkable species of palm tree native to central Chile. There used to be more specimens in Lisbon's green spaces. Today, there is only one, as far as I'm aware, in a botanical garden.

 

- Brahea edulis

Brahea edulis, commonly known as the Guadalupe Palm or Guadalupe Fan Palm, is a distinctive palm species indigenous to Guadalupe Island off the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. 

 

- Sabal mexicana

Sabal mexicana, commonly known as the Mexican Sabal or Rio Grande Palmetto, is a palm species native to northeastern Mexico and southern Texas in the United States. Sabal mexicana is appreciated for its ornamental value and suitability for subtropical and tropical landscapes.

 

- Sabal palmetto

Sabal palmetto, commonly known as the Cabbage Palm or Sabal Palm, is a prominent palm species native to the southeastern United States, ranging from North Carolina to Florida and west to Texas.  

 

- Sabal minor

Sabal minor, commonly known as the Dwarf Palmetto or Palmetto Palm, is a resilient palm species native to the southeastern United States, extending from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast. 

 

- Chamaedorea pochutlensis

Chamaedorea pochutlensis is a species of palm native to Mexico, specifically found in the Pochutla District of Oaxaca. Cultivation of Chamaedorea pochutlensis is well-suited for subtropical and tropical climates, where it thrives in well-drained soils and partial shade. 

 

MORE SPECIES COMING SOON

 

Thank you so much for making this thread and sharing some of the beautiful palms in Lisbon. I have family in Portugal and always love visiting, it's such a gorgeous country with a wonderful climate. Such as shame about the red palm weevil, hopefully there will be a long-term solution at some point. The South American palm weevil is currently doing the same damage over in San Diego, California, where many CIDP have died or are being killed, and it's making its way up the coast. Truly a shame all the pests that are killing palms around the world. I'm the one who mentioned those two royal palms I saw in Lisbon on the other thread, love seeing some other rare/tropical palms around the city. Can't wait to get back to Portugal at some point. Thanks for sharing!

[Stelios]

Arenga at Lisbon botanical garden. Photo taken today.

[Pargomad]

Lisbon Part V

Here are some other species that grow in Lisbon, Portugal.

- Phoenix rupicola

Phoenix rupicola, commonly known as the Cliff Date Palm or Indian Wild Date Palm, is a species of palm tree native to the Western Ghats mountain range in southwestern India. 

 

- Phoenix sylvestris

Phoenix sylvestris, commonly known as the Wild Date Palm or Silver Date Palm, is a majestic and resilient palm species native to the Indian subcontinent. This palm is widely distributed across various regions, from northern India to Bangladesh. 

 

- Phoenix roebelenii

Phoenix roebelenii, commonly known as the Pygmy Date Palm or Miniature Date Palm, is a small and popular ornamental palm species native to Southeast Asia.

 

The city of Lisbon was once filled with date palms of various species, specially the Canary date palm. These different species generated hybrid specimens in different parts of the city. 
Sometimes, it is difficult to truly recognize the two species that produced these hybrids.

- Phoenix canariensis ✞

Here are some specimens that have now disappeared, killed by the red palm weevil and the city's poor management. Unfortunately, local authorities sometimes preferred to cut down healthy specimens close to diseased ones rather than treat infected palms. This kind of situation also occurred in private gardens, as many owners did not want to spend money on treating their palms.  As a result, the city has lost much of its former charm, and it's becoming increasingly more difficult to see palm trees outside the botanical gardens. In addition, in recent years local authorities have preferred to plant trees from cooler, temperate climates, despite the city's Mediterranean climate.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that we're in a city that has milder winters than cities like Valencia in Spain. 

 

- Phoenix canariensis x dactylifera

 

 

- Phoenix canariensis x rupicola

 

- Phoenix reclinata x roebelenii

 

TO BE CONTINUED

Edited December 27, 2023 by Pargomad

[Pargomad]

On 12/20/2023 at 5:05 PM, Banana Belt said:

Only one Jubaea in Lisbon?  That is rather odd, "number one being the loneliest number".  Why?

I've only seen this particular specimen so far and I've been to every parks and botanical gardens here in Lisbon. I know there used to be more in the past, but most Portuguese have lost their interest in palm trees and they're not particularly interested in planting more specimens in their gardens anymore. There might be some growing in Sintra in the historical gardens though

 

On 12/22/2023 at 7:43 PM, Stelios said:

A very well grown with full crown phoenix roebelenii at Miradouro de Sao Pedro.

Magnificent! Phoenix roebelenii are more and more planted in private gardens outside Lisbon these days.

 

On 12/23/2023 at 9:40 PM, Stelios said:

Some palms from Sintra

Palacio de quinta da regaleira

Butia at Palacio da Pena

Thank you for your contribution, this is what I expect from this topic: that everyone shares their knowledge and photos. Those archontophoenix cunninghamiana look incredible. I've only seen a few specimens growing in very shady and humid gardens in Lisbon. The sun and scorching summer heat are not suitable conditions for these palms. 

 

On 12/26/2023 at 7:57 PM, Stelios said:

Arenga at Lisbon botanical garden. Photo taken today.

I was literally going to share the same photo! 

Edited December 27, 2023 by Pargomad

[Pargomad]

On 12/24/2023 at 6:23 AM, Alex High said:

Thank you so much for making this thread and sharing some of the beautiful palms in Lisbon. I have family in Portugal and always love visiting, it's such a gorgeous country with a wonderful climate. Such as shame about the red palm weevil, hopefully there will be a long-term solution at some point. The South American palm weevil is currently doing the same damage over in San Diego, California, where many CIDP have died or are being killed, and it's making its way up the coast. Truly a shame all the pests that are killing palms around the world. I'm the one who mentioned those two royal palms I saw in Lisbon on the other thread, love seeing some other rare/tropical palms around the city. Can't wait to get back to Portugal at some point. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you!

Oh, but there is a solution. Other countries like Spain and the south of France have managed this crisis better than Portugal. You only have to cross the border to see that the vast majority of palm trees have been saved. Whereas in Portugal, more specifically in Lisbon and Madeira, 90% of date palms have now disappeared. Unfortunately, 70% of the palms grown in the country were Canary Island date palms, hence the impact of this genocide. 

This is due to a lack of interest on the part of town councils, which have done nothing to manage this crisis or have waited too long to act. I'm always so impressed when I go to Menton in France or any other Spanish town by the number of healthy adult palms growing in the streets and gardens. In Portugal, especially in Lisbon, you really have to look for them sometimes. Furthermore, many Portuguese people prefer not to plant any more palms and replace them with native trees or trees from colder, more temperate climates that provide shade. If you give the same avenue with the same microclimate to Spaniards and Portuguese, the Spaniards will plant phoenix dactylifera with a few ficus, while the Portuguese will opt for plane trees, as they cool the streets in summer and the leaves change color in fall. That's how a lot of people think around here. And as you can see for yourself, many tropical species can grow in Lisbon, including roystoneas and even dypsis lutescens. 

What a shame, I really hope they'll find a solution soon, I don't want them to suffer the same fate as Lisbon. 

[Stelios]

Yesterday in Cascais I saw a line of some nice archontophoenix at the Parque Marechal Carmona. 

Also on the first day when we arrived in Lisbon, as we were coming with the taxi towards Jardim da Estrela, I saw a lady moving some very nice trunking archontophoenix and kentias out her flower shop. I checked from google and I think this is the place. I hope she will find people who loves palms to sell them.

[Stelios]

In Cascais I also saw this chrysalidocarpus lutescens. It's at the Cidadela de Cascais. I know is in a very big pot, but it looks like is growing there summer and winter. It's like back home. People don't know that these palms can grow in the ground more successfully.

[Pargomad]

On 12/28/2023 at 8:19 AM, Stelios said:

In Cascais I also saw this chrysalidocarpus lutescens. It's at the Cidadela de Cascais. I know is in a very big pot, but it looks like is growing there summer and winter. It's like back home. People don't know that these palms can grow in the ground more successfully.

I've seen some growing outside outside Lisbon, I'm going to try to take some photos next time I see one. Archontophoenix are more popular in Cascais or Sintra than in Lisbon. I've seen some growing in private gardens along the coast from Oeiras to Cascais. 

[bubba]

Pargomad or Anyone,

We are planning a trip to Portugal that will include Lisbon and Faro. Are the palm specimens best viewed at the main botanical garden in Lisbon or is a trip to Sintra worthy? How far from Lisbon is Sintra? The Royal Palms posted must be the furthest from the equator in the world! Magnificent!
 

Do you know of any similar gardens in the Faro (Algarve) area? Thank you for this incredible “palm journey”.

[Cluster]

Some more photos a few days ago from an Hotel in Lisbon Ajuda:

 

 

 

 

[Pargomad]

On 4/28/2024 at 7:43 PM, bubba said:

Pargomad or Anyone,

We are planning a trip to Portugal that will include Lisbon and Faro. Are the palm specimens best viewed at the main botanical garden in Lisbon or is a trip to Sintra worthy? How far from Lisbon is Sintra? The Royal Palms posted must be the furthest from the equator in the world! Magnificent!
 

Do you know of any similar gardens in the Faro (Algarve) area? Thank you for this incredible “palm journey”.

Thank you!

Sintra is worth a visit, not just for its gardens. The town is 30 minutes from Lisbon. 

I don't think there is a botanical garden in Faro, but the Algarve in general is more "palmy" than the other regions of the country, just like Southern Spain.

[Pargomad]

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last posted here. Today, I want to start a discussion about the diversity of palm trees across the entire country.

Let's start with Porto Santo today, a little island located north of Madeira, known as the Golden island for its sandy beach and arid landscapes. In fact, the island has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) with low precipitation values and mild temperatures all year round.

Date palms (phoenix dactylifera) were the first cultivated palm trees on the island, probably introduced to the island with the first settlements since Porto Santo was in close contact with North Africa, more specifically with former Portuguese possessions in Morocco, from where the first plants might have come. Date palms were the most common palm trees on the island until the early 20th century. In fact, In 1894, date palms were categorized as subspontaneous on the island and dates were part of the local diet until the 19th century.

Later in the 50s, Canary Island date palms started to become very popular as an ornamental plant and supplanted the date palms as the most common species on the island. After that, palm trees lost their primary agricultural purpose and became mostly ornamental as the island developed into a tourist destination. The Canary Island date palms' fruits aren't comestible, but its leaves are still used today in making hats, baskets or purses.

Over the years, people planted them everywhere, there wasn't a square, a street or even a house that wouldn't have at least one CIDP.  Porto Santo is perhaps the only place in Portugal where people have developped a special bond with palm trees. It became so common and omnipresent on the island that locals still think it is indigenous. Nowadays, the CIDP is by far the most common palm tree on the island.  As you can guess, it also became subspontaneous and started colonizing abandoned agricultural lands, riverbanks or geographical crevices.

 A few years ago, the red palm weevil arrived on the island but didn't wreak havoc among the palms there. Actually, only a few CIDP were removed and that's because in 2012, during a political gathering/party, a tall and sick CIDP fell on the crowd and killed two people. The authorities, fearing reprisals, removed all the CIDP in that square (even though they were healthy). A few years have passed ant the locals, very discontented with the authorities' decision, pressured them to replant palm trees to substitute the ones missing. Here's a video where you can see how the little square looked like before the incident and now: 

Today, CIDP still proliferate along with date palms and more recent palm trees, also very common in the continent, such as washingtonia robusta, washingtonia filifera, chamaerops humilis and syagrus romanzoffiana. Palm trees are particularly abundant in hotels and resorts, just like the Algarve.

Despite its numerous presence, there isn't a big diversity on the island as 90% of the palms there are phoenix or washingtonia species. Nonetheless, a few more tropical exemplars grow in some private gardens such as roystonea regia, archontophoenix cunninghamiana and alexandrae, bismarckia nobilis, dypsis lutescens, etc. But the most famous tropical palms of Porto Santo are definitely the three coconut trees growing by the beach. They are the most septentrional coconut trees of the world, which attests the mildness of the climate. 

Porto Santo has always cultivated palm trees and today, its presence still leaves a huge mark on the island's landscape and people.  Unfortunately, in recent months, the palm weevil has once again been detected on the island, and this time the situation is much more concerning, as it seems that many palm trees have been infected and the situation is out of control. The local authorities have tried to contain the spread, but this time it hasn't worked. To this date, many large specimens have been affected and have already died, and if the local authorities do nothing, we could witness the extinction of the CIDP on the island, as it has happened on the neighboring island of Madeira or on the mainland.

[Alex High]

21 hours ago, Pargomad said:

Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last posted here. Today, I want to start a discussion about the diversity of palm trees across the entire country.

Let's start with Porto Santo today, a little island located north of Madeira, known as the Golden island for its sandy beach and arid landscapes. In fact, the island has a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) with low precipitation values and mild temperatures all year round.

Date palms (phoenix dactylifera) were the first cultivated palm trees on the island, probably introduced to the island with the first settlements since Porto Santo was in close contact with North Africa, more specifically with former Portuguese possessions in Morocco, from where the first plants might have come. Date palms were the most common palm trees on the island until the early 20th century. In fact, In 1894, date palms were categorized as subspontaneous on the island and dates were part of the local diet until the 19th century.

Later in the 50s, Canary Island date palms started to become very popular as an ornamental plant and supplanted the date palms as the most common species on the island. After that, palm trees lost their primary agricultural purpose and became mostly ornamental as the island developed into a tourist destination. The Canary Island date palms' fruits aren't comestible, but its leaves are still used today in making hats, baskets or purses.

Over the years, people planted them everywhere, there wasn't a square, a street or even a house that wouldn't have at least one CIDP.  Porto Santo is perhaps the only place in Portugal where people have developped a special bond with palm trees. It became so common and omnipresent on the island that locals still think it is indigenous. Nowadays, the CIDP is by far the most common palm tree on the island.  As you can guess, it also became subspontaneous and started colonizing abandoned agricultural lands, riverbanks or geographical crevices.

 A few years ago, the red palm weevil arrived on the island but didn't wreak havoc among the palms there. Actually, only a few CIDP were removed and that's because in 2012, during a political gathering/party, a tall and sick CIDP fell on the crowd and killed two people. The authorities, fearing reprisals, removed all the CIDP in that square (even though they were healthy). A few years have passed ant the locals, very discontented with the authorities' decision, pressured them to replant palm trees to substitute the ones missing. Here's a video where you can see how the little square looked like before the incident and now: 

Today, CIDP still proliferate along with date palms and more recent palm trees, also very common in the continent, such as washingtonia robusta, washingtonia filifera, chamaerops humilis and syagrus romanzoffiana. Palm trees are particularly abundant in hotels and resorts, just like the Algarve.

Despite its numerous presence, there isn't a big diversity on the island as 90% of the palms there are phoenix or washingtonia species. Nonetheless, a few more tropical exemplars grow in some private gardens such as roystonea regia, archontophoenix cunninghamiana and alexandrae, bismarckia nobilis, dypsis lutescens, etc. But the most famous tropical palms of Porto Santo are definitely the three coconut trees growing by the beach. They are the most septentrional coconut trees of the world, which attests the mildness of the climate. 

Porto Santo has always cultivated palm trees and today, its presence still leaves a huge mark on the island's landscape and people.  Unfortunately, in recent months, the palm weevil has once again been detected on the island, and this time the situation is much more concerning, as it seems that many palm trees have been infected and the situation is out of control. The local authorities have tried to contain the spread, but this time it hasn't worked. To this date, many large specimens have been affected and have already died, and if the local authorities do nothing, we could witness the extinction of the CIDP on the island, as it has happened on the neighboring island of Madeira or on the mainland.

As always, great in-depth post, thank you! Such beautiful islands, I have family from Madeira and really want to visit at some point. One of the most ideal climates on Earth for humans and palms alike. So sad to see the devastation of the palm weevil, I really hope the authorities there do a better job managing it than they did in mainland Portugal. I just moved to Central California for college and it's so nice to see healthy CIDP everywhere, but we have a similar problem because the South American palm weevil is wreaking havoc on CIDP in San Diego and making its way up the coast. So sad and I am just hoping a solution can be found in the future before it spreads throughout California, and likewise in Europe and the Mediterranean. Thanks for keeping us posted on the beautiful Portuguese palms!

[Pargomad]

Hi everyone!

Today, I'd like to talk about the history of palm trees in the territory that is now Portugal. Many Portuguese people believe that palm trees are exotic species introduced in recent years as ornamental plants in coastal resort areas. Some even harbor a certain aversion to these species, associating them with tropical climates and, consequently, with foreign and distant territories. One argument frequently heard against their use as ornamental plants in our country is that they take the place of native trees or those considered indigenous to Portugal.

Let us explore how the reality differs from these assumptions and see that palm trees, in fact, have been part of the Portuguese landscape—at least partially—long before the birth of the nation.

Contrary to popular belief, there is indeed a native palm species in our territory: the dwarf palm, also known as the European fan palm or broom palm. Its Latin name is Chamaerops humilis, and it is a naturally low-growing species (though in cultivation it can reach up to 5 meters in height) that thrives around the Mediterranean Sea. In the Iberian Peninsula, its potential distribution extends along the eastern Mediterranean and Andalusian coasts, reaching inland through the Guadalquivir and Guadiana river valleys and up to Lisbon.

Image 1: According to Rivas Martínez, the dwarf palm grows in the thermomediterranean zone (marked in red on the map).

 

Image 2: Approximate map of the current distribution of the European fan palm.

 

In Portugal, its current distribution is mainly in the Algarve and along the Alentejo coast, where it grows in xerophytic shrubs and thickets, on sunny and rocky slopes, and in coastal cliffs. Its original range must have been much larger, covering the southern half of the country. However, with the expansion of urbanization and agriculture, its range has diminished over time. In the 19th century, there were references to its presence in the Serra da Arrábida, but today there are no records of spontaneous specimens in the cliffs and hills of the area. 

Image 3: Low-growing specimen in a holm oak forest in the Algarve.

 

Image 4: Large specimen at Cape St. Vincent.

 

Image 5: European fan palm in the Algarve.

 

Image 6: Specimen on a cliff at a beach in Lagos.

 

Nevertheless, small populations of natural specimens still survive in some parts of the Alentejo, particularly in the montado areas of the Évora district. Other small populations exist near Badajoz in Spain. There are also recent accounts of isolated spontaneous specimens in Lisbon, Cascais (near Cabo Raso), and Costa da Caparica. 

Image 7: Young spontaneous specimen in Torrão, Alcácer do Sal.

 

While dwarf palms are also used as ornamentals, the palm species commonly seen today are not native to Portugal. This means they were imported from other regions. Contrary to popular belief, the first exotic palms were not introduced in the last three centuries; their presence dates back much further.

In the context of the Iberian Peninsula, the presence of palm trees goes back to antiquity. In the first century AD, the Roman writer Pliny the Elder, in his book Naturalis Historia (Book XIII), mentions the presence of fruit-bearing palms in the peninsula: “Without a doubt, there are many palms in Europe and Italy, but they do not bear fruit. On the coasts of Hispania, however, they bear fruit, albeit with a harsh taste.” The species he's mentionning is the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera), a type of palm cultivated for millennia in the Middle East primarily for its fruit: the date.

The history of the date palm stretches back thousands of years and is deeply intertwined with the civilizations of the Middle East and North Africa. Archaeological records show that it was already being cultivated in Mesopotamia around 6,000 BCE, where its resistance to heat and water scarcity made it one of the few fruit-bearing trees suitable for the desert environment. Dates were so valuable that they were referred to as “the bread of the desert” and celebrated in sacred texts and historical records, such as the Bible and the Quran, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. Over time, trade routes spread date palms to various regions around the Mediterranean.

The origin and presence of date palms in the Iberian Peninsula are subjects of debate among archaeologists and botanists, particularly regarding the possibility of a native species (phoenix iberica?) in the southeast of the peninsula and the role of different Mediterranean peoples in introducing and propagating the plant. Date palms have been documented in various regions of the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula since at least the Phoenician period. Their presence was successively expanded by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and, most significantly, by the Arabs.

Image 8: Natural specimens (phoenix iberica?) growing in Abanilla desert, Murcia. 

 

Image 9: Phoenix dactylifera in Cabo de gata, Almería

The continental territory that is now Portugal never offered the climatic conditions necessary for date cultivation—not due to temperature, as the average temperatures in Elche are not very different from those in the Algarve, but due to humidity. Precipitation levels are too high for dates, which require aridity. On the peninsula, favorable conditions for date cultivation exist only in the southeast, in the regions of Almería, Murcia, Elche, and Alicante, where a semi-arid or hot arid climate prevails (BSh and BWh in red and pink).

Image 9: Köppen-Geiger climate classification of the Iberian Peninsula

 

Images 10 and 11: The Palm Grove of Elche, Valencia

 

Image 12: A palm grove in Orihuela, Valencia

 

Nonetheless, date palm have not solely served agricultural purposes throughout history. It was likely used primarily as an ornamental plant due to its aesthetic beauty and religious symbolism.

Considering its use, the introduction of the date palm to the western territory of the peninsula is much less documented compared to the southeast, where numerous references have emerged throughout different eras and peoples. However, we know that the Phoenicians were instrumental in spreading this plant (the name Phoenix derives from their civilization) throughout the Mediterranean. This same people also traveled, traded, and even settled in parts of what is now southern Portugal, leaving their orientalizing influence in remote areas such as the Alentejo. Many authors attribute the introduction of the date palm to the peninsula (including the Portuguese territory) to the Phoenicians. Similarly, the Carthaginians, descendants of the Phoenicians, are believed to have contributed to its spread.

Later, the Romans, captivated by its aesthetic beauty, used date palms as ornamentals in their gardens and courtyards across the Italian peninsula and their conquered territories around the Mediterranean.

During the Muslim period in the Iberian Peninsula, the date palm was widely used and valued not only as a fruit-bearing plant but also as a symbol of prosperity and civilization. Originating from the Middle East and North Africa, where the new political and religious elites came from, the date palm was one of the first plants cultivated in gardens, palaces, and mosques in Al-Andalus. It is said that during the caliphal period, Abd al-Rahman I ordered palms to be planted in Córdoba to remind him of his native Syria.

Image 12: Virtual reconstitution of Medina Azahara, Córdoba 

 

While large date groves were developed in the southeast for fruit cultivation—thanks to ingenious irrigation systems introduced by the Arabs—in Andalusia, date palms were used ornamentally. References to their use exist in cities such as Seville, Córdoba, and Granada.

As for the Portuguese territory, there is no reason to believe date palms were not planted for ornamental purposes on the other side of the Guadiana River. In fact, the historian Al-Maqqarî, describing a journey accompanying the sovereign al-Mutawakkil from Badajoz to Santarém, passing through Elvas, which he considered a "precious site famous for its waters and tall palms, where one finds gardens and beautiful places."

Therefore, it is highly likely that date palms were cultivated as an ornamental plant throughout the Algarve and Alentejo regions, extending to Lisbon, areas where Muslim rule and Mediterranean influences were most profound and enduring.

 

Image 13: Date palms growing in an olive tree field near Arronches, Alentejo (not far from Elvas). This photo gives us an idea of the kind of landscape you would see in Muslim Portugal. 

 

Image 14: Date palms growing amidst other Mediterranean trees (carob trees, lemon trees, and orange trees) and houses with terraces inspired by Muslim architecture in the Algarve.

 

Image 15: A date palm growing in Moura, Alentejo

 

Image 16: Dates palm in the Muslim castle of Silves, Algarve

 

After the Reconquista, it seems that the cultivation of date palms gradually diminished over time (due to its strong connection to Islam), though they were still sporadically used in the newly-formed nation. The only reference I found regarding the presence of the date palm comes from the 16th century on the island of Madeira, where Gaspar Frutuoso describes a palm tree (most likely a date palm) in the cloister of the Santa Clara Convent in Funchal. This detail suggests that the cultivation of the date palm may have been revitalized during the Age of Discovery, a period when contact with Africa and other continents facilitated the importation of exotic plant species. The date palm, along with its relative, the Canary Island date palm, would become symbols of colonial wealth.

From the 18th century onward, with the development of modern botany, many enthusiasts began planting date palms in their gardens and botanical parks, particularly in Lisbon, where they thrived in the green spaces of numerous palaces of the time. In the first half of the 20th century, date palms transitioned from private gardens to adorning public squares and parks.

Image 14: Burnay Palace, Lisbon

 

Image 15:  A multi trunk specimen in Estrela, Lisbon in 1930

 

Image 16: Santos garden in Lisbon (1930) 

 

Image 17: Lisbon Zoo 

 

In the latter half of the 20th century, with the growth of tourism, the Canary Island date palm replaced the true date palm across the country and became widely planted in gardens, avenues, and parks, particularly in coastal areas. From the 1980s through the 2010s, date palms saw a resurgence in Portuguese gardens, especially in tourist hotspots like the Algarve, where it remains a common sight at hotels and resorts.

Image 18: Date palms growing in the coastal town of Costa da Caparica, Lisbon 

 

Image 19: Date palms in Lisbon planted in 1998 for the Expo. 

 

Image 20: Date palms in Sesimbra

 

Images 21 and 22: A hotel in the Algarve 

 

Image 23: A traditional house converted into a hotel in Alentejo

 

However, unlike in neighboring Spain, date palms aren't widely cultivated in Portugal, and mature specimens are becoming increasingly hard to find today, especially in Lisbon.  With the arrival of the red palm weevil, which decimated nearly all the Canary Island date palms in the country, the cultivation of the true date palm was largely abandoned after centuries, and preference shifted to less vulnerable species, such as the Washingtonia palms.