Palm Tree

Elaeis guineensis, the African oil palm, is a tropical evergreen palm native to tropical Africa. Its single trunk supports a crown of long, feathery, pinnate fronds; dense fruit clusters sit close to the trunk and ripen from orange to black. The scale and bold foliage make it an architectural specimen for warm-climate landscapes. [Kew Science](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:666802-1) · [UF/IFAS](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP107) ## Site and scale UF/IFAS lists a mature height of 25–50 feet and recommends full sun to part shade. The palm needs a large site with room for its broad crown and long fronds; it is not suited to a small lot. Use well-drained soil, and provide supplemental water during prolonged dry spells. Kew places the species in the wet tropical biome, so cold-climate gardens are outside its normal landscape setting. [UF/IFAS](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP107) · [Kew Science](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:666802-1) ## Maintenance Keep the planting area clear of hardscape and overhead conflicts as the crown develops. UF/IFAS rates the species as low maintenance in South Florida landscapes; routine care still includes watering during extended dry weather and safe cleanup of fallen fronds and fruit. [UF/IFAS](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP107)