Varieties of Palm Fronds
Palm fronds or leaves are just as varied as the different palm species themselves. There are basically two types of fronds, however, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: fan-shaped and feather-shaped. In addition, a ponytail-shaped palm frond exists too. Each palm frond variety has its own size and preferred temperature range as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Fan-Shaped
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The Mediterranean fan palm is an example of a fan-shaped palm frond. This palm frond is medium to dark green in color, although sometimes a blue shade, and has flecks of white beneath the leaves. The leaves are 2 to 3 feet in width, with up to 30 leaflets or more. The plant gives a tropical effect to the residential landscape and can be used on lawns, in a border or as a foundation planting. If sufficient light is available, according to "Landscape Plants: Their identification, culture and use," Mediterranean fan palms can be used indoors as a potted or container plant.
Triangular-shaped, these fronds grow upright and have sharp teeth on their leaf stems. In addition, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, these fan-shaped frond palms are cold-hardy enough to withstand the Texas Upper Gulf Coast weather when planted outdoors. This palm can be planted outdoors in zones not dropping below 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Feather-Shaped
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The queen palm frond is feather-shaped and fringed in appearance. This is due to its leaflets being in double rows. The heavier and thicker fronds give this palm a drooping appearance compared to the upright fan-shaped palm fronds. It is not as cold-hardy as the Mediterranean palm, freezing if outdoor temps get down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Therefore, it should not be planted in zones that have colder outdoor temps than that. However it is very adaptable to many different soil types. Height potential prohibits bringing this palm indoors during the winter.
Bright orange edible fruit appears on this palm and can be quite sticky. Leaf color can range from gray-green to bluish silver-green, and the leaves can be between 5 to 10 feet long and 1 foot wide, according to "Landscape Plants."
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Ponytail-Shaped
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A simple palm frond is the ponytail palm. This palm's frond is green during every season. The fronds are simple in shape, between 3 to 6 feet long and up to an inch wide. The fronds hang in a drooping manner from the top of the palm to the bottom, much like hair from a ponytail band. The fronds are slightly curved up and out in their downward slope, making the palm appear to be fuller. The ponytail palm prefers moist, well-drained soil and has to be overwintered indoors if planted outside of USDA Plant Hardiness zones 9b and 10, according to "Landscape Plants." Indoors cultivation is a possibility, with sufficient light and a humid greenhouse.
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References
- Photo Credit palm frond on blue sky image by Nikolai Sorokin from Fotolia.com
