Palm and Palm-Like Plants
This collection displays a variety of palm trees and palm-like plants from around the world in landscape settings.
Purpose and scope of the collection
The collection displays plants that are useful in urban residential, commercial, and public landscapes in the Las Vegas Valley and adjacent parts of southern Nevada with similar climatic conditions. The collection focuses on species of the family Palmae, like the California fan palm (Washingtonia filifera) which is native to the desert southwest. Palm-like plants, such as the sago palm (Cycas revoluta), physically resemble true palms and are used similarly in the landscape, but they evolved very differently. This collection allows botanical comparison
Collection — specific interpretations of this policy and special
- Focus on acquisition and management of species within the family Palmae. Other families to consider include the Arecacae, Cycadacea, and Zamiaceae.
- All palms and palm-like plants should be accessioned as individuals within the Arboretum Core. Outside the Core, accession individual trees when they rare part of a limited population of the species on campus.
- Emphasize plants adaptable to Climate Zone 11 (Medium to High Deserts of California and Southern Nevada as defined in the Sunset Western Garden Book). However, utilize microclimates found on campus to support as many genera and species as practical.
- Display specimens in a variety of landscape uses and styles.
- Also plant some specimens in simulated natural groupings wherever possible. Otherwise, group specimens according to their planting and culture needs.
Programs supported by the collection
- UNLV Biology: BIO 120 Plants and People, BIO 122 Desert Plants, BIO 345 Urban Horticulture, BIO 422 Taxonomy of Vascular Plants, BIO 426 Plant Anatomy, BIO 442 Principles of Plant Physiology
- UNLV Landscape Architecture: AAL 246 Plant Materials, second through fifth-year design studios (AAL 284, AAL 286, AAL 384, AAL 386, AAL 484, AAL 486, AAL 494, AAL 496)
- CCSN Ornamental Horticulture: OH 103 Ornamental Plant Identification
Collection data
Type of collection: Taxonomic
Year established: 2003
Guidelines created: March 2006
Last revised: March 2006
Proposed by: 2003 Long Range Planning Committee
Location: n/a
Size: n/a
Amenities: n/a
Last inventoried: in progress
Number of species: n/a
Number of specimens: n/a
