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Bismarckia Nobilis Bismarck Palm: Fact Sheet ST-101

The Bismarck Palm is a striking palm that reaches heights between 25 to 50 feet. It has gorgeous, four-foot long blue-gray leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. Small white flowers appear in spring and produce many 1.5 inch long fruits. Native to tropical regions, it thrives in USDA zones 10-11 and prefers full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. The Bismarck Palm is highly drought and salt tolerant, making it a popular landscape plant that provides tropical flair.

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26 views

Bismarckia Nobilis Bismarck Palm: Fact Sheet ST-101

The Bismarck Palm is a striking palm that reaches heights between 25 to 50 feet. It has gorgeous, four-foot long blue-gray leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. Small white flowers appear in spring and produce many 1.5 inch long fruits. Native to tropical regions, it thrives in USDA zones 10-11 and prefers full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. The Bismarck Palm is highly drought and salt tolerant, making it a popular landscape plant that provides tropical flair.

Uploaded by

Sangeetha M
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Fact Sheet ST-101

November 1993

Bismarckia nobilis
Bismarck Palm1
Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

INTRODUCTION
Lending a tropical flair to the landscape, Bismarck
Palm slowly reaches 25 to 50 feet or more in height
and is topped with gorgeous, four-foot-long and wide,
stiff, waxy, blue/gray leaves (Fig. 1). These palms
cannot be missed in the landscape due to the very
striking frond color and texture. The flower stalks are
four feet long and produce many 1.5-inch-long fruits.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Scientific name: Bismarckia nobilis
Pronunciation: biz-MAR-kee-uh no-BILL-iss
Common name(s): Bismarck Palm
Family: Arecaceae Figure 1. Young Bismarck Palm.
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Foliage
Uses: suitable for growing indoors; recommended for
buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip Leaf arrangement: spiral (Fig. 3)
plantings in the highway; specimen Leaf type: simple
Availability: generally available in many areas within Leaf margin: lobed
its hardiness range Leaf shape: star-shaped
Leaf venation: palmate
DESCRIPTION Leaf type and persistence: broadleaf evergreen;
evergreen
Height: 40 to 70 feet Leaf blade length: >36 inches
Spread: 10 to 15 feet Leaf color: blue or blue-green
Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a Fall color: no fall color change
regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more Fall characteristic: not showy
or less identical crown forms
Crown shape: palm; upright
Crown density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse

1. This document is adapted from Fact Sheet ST-101, a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Publication date: November 1993.
2. Edward F. Gilman, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, associate professor, Agricultural Engineering
Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.
Bismarckia nobilis -- Bismarck Palm Page 2

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.

Flower Culture
Flower color: white Light requirement: tree grows in part shade/part sun;
Flower characteristics: inconspicuous and not tree grows in full sun
showy; spring flowering Soil tolerances: clay; loam; sand; slightly alkaline;
acidic; well-drained
Fruit Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: 1 to 3 inches Other
Fruit covering: fleshy
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; Roots: surface roots are usually not a problem
inconspicuous and not showy; no significant litter Winter interest: no special winter interest
problem Outstanding tree: tree has outstanding ornamental
features and could be planted more
Trunk and Branches Invasive potential: little, if any, potential at this time
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: not known to be
Trunk/bark/branches: grow mostly upright and will susceptible
not droop; showy trunk; should be grown with a single Pest resistance: no pests are normally seen on the
leader; no thorns tree
Pruning requirement: needs little pruning to develop
a strong structure USE AND MANAGEMENT
Breakage: resistant
Crown shaft: no Several of these palms placed together in a
commercial or large residential setting can contrast
dramatically with existing vegetation, providing a
Bismarckia nobilis -- Bismarck Palm Page 3

Figure 3. Foliage of Bismarck Palm.

wonderful relief from the greens so common in most


landscapes. Single specimens are also attractive and
well suited for most residential-sized landscapes. A
row of Bismarck Palms spaced 15 feet apart along
each side of an entry road or wide walkway can create
a dramatic impact. Even if you do not collect palms,
this one should be considered when planning a
landscape in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Bismarck Palm should be grown in full sun or


partial shade on well-drained soil. This palm is highly
drought- and salt-tolerant and is becoming more
popular. As is the case with a number of palms, it
cannot be transplanted until a trunk develops and is
visible at the base of the plant.

Propagation is by seed.

Pests and Diseases


There are no major pest problems on this palm.
Watch for scale infestations.

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