Roystonea princeps

Roystonea princeps, commonly known as Morass cabbage palm or Morass royal palm, is a species of palm which is endemic to western Jamaica.
Description.
"Roystonea princeps" is a large palm which reaches heights of . Stems are grey-white and range from in diameter. The upper portion of the stem is encircled by leaf sheaths, forming a green portion known as the crownshaft which is normally about long. Individuals have about 15 leaves with rachises. The inflorescences bear creamy yellow male and female flowers; the anthers of the male flowers are purplish. Fruit are long and wide, and are purplish-black when ripe.
Taxonomy.
For most of the 19th century, only two species of royal palms were generally recognised: Greater Antillean royal palms were considered "Oreodoxa regia" (now "Roystonea regia"), while Lesser Antillean ones were considered "O. oleracea" ("R. oleracea"). Several new species were recognised early in the 20th century, among them a Jamaican species that was named "Oreodoxa princeps" by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari in 1912. Due to problems with the way that the genus "Oreodoxa" had been applied by taxonomists, American botanist Orator F. Cook had proposed that the name "Roystonea" (in honour of American general Roy Stone) be applied to the royal palms. In 1929 German botanist Max Burret transferred "O. princeps" to the genus "Roystonea".
Common names.
"Roystonea princeps" is known as the "Morass cabbage palm", "Morass royal palm" "swamp cabbage" or simply "royal palm".
Reproduction and growth.
Thirty-four to 36-year-old individuals grown in cultivation at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Florida grew per year.
Distribution.
"Roystonea princeps" is endemic to the western Jamaican parishes of St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, in wetlands around Black River and Negril.