Life Amid the Palms

February 2024 - Welcome!

What's Up With This Popular "Palm"?

Is it trying to break Botanical Boundaries? Palm Trees and Ponytail Palms have a Family Mix-up!"

We've got to look at botanical lineages to solve this mystery. About the mistaken identity of Ponytail Palms. Over the years, many viewed this plant's form. Because it had one trunk, and palmy looking evergreen leaves growing from the top, people thought it was a palm tree.

But It's a Misunderstanding
Why the Confusion?

Yes, many think the Ponytail Palm is actually a palm tree. But we know it's not! It's a succulent.

To confuse it a bit more, another common name for the Ponytail Palm is a Bottle Palm. There's a true palm the Hyophorbe lagenicaulis - which has that same common name.

Another confusing name for the Ponytail Palm is when it's called Elephant’s Foot Tree. Because of the large trunk expansion at its bottom. And H.lagenicaulis palm also has a similar expansion.

Not a True Palm Tree
Ponytail Palm - Beaucarnea recurvata
An "Elephant's Foot" at the Trunk Base

The True Palm
Bottle Palm - Hyophorbe lagenicaulis
Tan Wide Area at Trunk Base

One thing they both have in common - older leaves eventually die. If desired, the Ponytail can be Trimmed, Removing Those Leaves. The Bottle Palm removes these dead leaves on its own, as all Palms With Crownshafts do.

With the Ponytail, dead leaves turn yellowish brown. With Palm Trees, they turn brown. 

Two Plants, Two Families
The Palm and the Ponytail Palm Saga

Similar appearances don't matter here. True palms come from an entirely different family from Ponytail palms.

• Palm Trees belong to the Arecaceae family.
• While Ponytail Palms are from the Asparagaceae family. 

Let's take a deeper look into this family mix-up!

Arecaceae Family: The True Palms

The Arecaceae family is the well-known Palm family. A group of flowering plants with about 2,600 species.

Most are known for growing in the tropics. Their Fruits & seeds are often food for wildlife and/or humans. Their trunks, as a rule, do not branch. Although there are a few genera exceptions.

Meet the Asparagaceae Family: Home to the Ponytail Palm

Asparagaceae is also a flowering plant family. It includes an assortment of different looking species. And one is the Ponytail Palm. Its scientific name is Beaucarnea recurvata.

Quite a Wide Assortment of Plant Forms in This Family - Including Agaves

Unlike true palms, the Ponytail Palm definitely branches. Branching happens after flowering, as the plant ages, and/or with breaks/cuts before it reaches 6in/16.24cm tall.

Even with its name & palm-like appearance, the Ponytail Palm isn't a true palm. Why those common names?

• Its unique bulbous base sort of looks like an elephant's foot. Even more-so over time, when it develops narrow, crunchy dents on that base.
  

1. That "foot" serves a purpose: water storage for arid conditions.

Ponytail Demonstrating its Elephantine Foot

• It has long, grass-like, flowing leaves like many palms do. But it also reminds people of a ponytail. Especially the kind sometimes seen coming from the top of a child's head! 😉

Would You Want a Ponytail Palm?

Even though it's not a true palm, many people like growing these palm-like plants.

The ponytail palm is native to Mexico, Belize & Guatemala. The popular type, which is used as an Indoor Plant is endemic to dryer climes of southeastern Mexico.

It can grow outside, too. Needing consistent warm weather provided by climates in zones 9-10.

It's pretty easily grown in the right places. Do you already have a Ponytail Palm? If you do, please Let Us Know how you're liking it! Or are you an authentically focused Palm Tree Hugger?

Til Next Time,

Karen & Bill of Mission: Palm Trees

P.S. Don't miss Our Latest Articles - And if you want to see all we have for you, available by subject be sure to check out our Mission: Palm Trees Site Index

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