The following images were received via email from new member, Mike Satiar. He had never seen such a palm before and was very curious to the type of palm and the how it was made to grow this way.
It appears to be a Phoenix species, probably a damaged crown forced a multi-trunk. I have seen photos of other palms in similar states, and they always attract quite a bit of attention.
Most definitely a Phoenix variety. It's not that unusual to see multi-crowned shafts on palms. Where i live i have seen several specimens of other types with similar growth. You should be proud of this one! You're getting more palm ! Mike, Darwin Australia
Here's another link on the same subject of "Multi-headed" palms. This one shows the new emergence from it's inception (Washingtonia robusta) in pictures and text. http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/palmstory/vpe_story1.htm Cheers, LPN.
Yes, a very interesting lot of photos to say the least! One particular tropical palm dypsis lutescens (clumping golden cane) often does the same thing and 'sprouts' new growth from areas along the trunk, roots and all. It's like somebody had glued a juvenile seedling to it! The new growth forms into a minature version of its parent and it does look a little odd seeing this on there. mike