Roystonea regia is a palm species that is native to Mexico parts of Central America and the Caribbean, and Southern Florida. They are palms of the lowlands in the Caribbean though some Roystonia species are said to be indicators of good soil conditions. It has been planted throughout the tropics and subtropics as an ornamental tree. It is cultivated in Uganda and they do well in rich well-drained soils but grow to smaller dimensions in poor soils. In Kampala, this palm can be found along Clement hill road, George street, within Uganda Golf course club, Makerere University among other places.

The Royal palm is a large palm which reaches a height of 20 30 meters (66 98 ft.) tall and a stem diameter of about 47 centimeters (19 in). The trunk is stout, and very smooth with a characteristic bulge below a distinctive green crown shaft. It is a tall attractive palm with a prominent shiny green "crown shaft" above the smooth trunk and the tree has about 15 leaves which can be up to 4 m (13 ft.) long. The dead leaves are self-pruning and fall off plant as single whole fronds.

BARK: light greywhite, smooth and ringed with prominent leaf scars, swollenslightly at the base and thickened around the middle.

LEAVES: pinnate, to 8 m long, arching downwards, leaflets soft, brilliant green, narrow, about 75 cm x 2 cm wide, growing in 4 rows in different planes, giving a ragged appearance. The soft green leafbases to 2 m are wrapped around to form the "crown shaft".

FLOWERS: arise below the leaves from a green pointed "spadix"or envelope about 1 m long, directed upwards at an angle. Whenit splits open, long branched stalks with pale yellow flowersemerge; distinctive violet stamens.

FRUIT: in 3 parts, green when immature, turning red eventually purplish-black as they mature, rounded 1.5 cm across, the flesh rich in oil and carbohydrates. Brown seeds inside. A single fruit cluster can weigh up to 50 kg.

An ornamental (avenue tree) or used as a centerpiece specimen because they look wonderful along streets or long driveways.

Leaves are used for thatching and the wood for construction.

An oil is obtained from the seed.

Wood is used to make handicrafts.

The stems are used to make furniture.

The trunks are cut into planks and used in construction and to make wharf piles and canoes.