Standing tall against Tobago’s blue skies, the Royal Palm (Roystonea regia) is one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable trees, graceful, towering, and almost impossibly elegant.

Though originally native to Cuba, Florida, and parts of the Caribbean, the Royal Palm arrived in Tobago during the colonial era, when it was planted to decorate estates, great houses, and government grounds. Its striking, smooth trunk and bright green crownshaft quickly made it a symbol of beauty and prestige.

Over time, Tobagonians embraced the Royal Palm not just as an ornamental tree but as a part of the island’s landscape, lining roads, hotel entrances, parks, and gardens. Today, it thrives in our tropical climate and has become a beloved feature of Tobago’s natural scenery.

The tree’s name, “Royal”, reflects exactly how it looks:
tall, proud, and elegant nature’s own version of Caribbean royalty.