The large stature and striking appearance of a Roystonea palm makes it a notable aspect of the landscape.

The stems, which were compared to stone columns by Louis and Elizabeth Agassiz in 1868, are smooth and columnar, although the trunks of R. altissima and R. maisiana are more slender than those of typical royal palms.

Stems often are swollen and bulging along portions of their length, which may reflect years where growing conditions were better or worse than average.

[6] The largest Royal palm is located in Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade in Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil with 42.4 m and was discovered by Vincent Ferh and Mauro Galetti Roystonea leaves consist of a sheathing leaf base, a petiole, and a rachis.

The American botanist Scott Zona only reported petiole lengths for three of the 10 species, ranging from 20 to 100 centimetres (8 to 39 in).

[6] These plants have the ability to easily release their leaves in strong winds, a supposed adaption serving to prevent toppling during hurricanes.

[7] Some species so closely resemble one another that scientific differentiation is by inflorescence detail; flower size, colour, etc.

The heart of the palm is used to make salad in some parts of the Caribbean, and its seeds can be used as substitutes for coffee beans.