Help identifying potted palms

[John5097]

Hey everyone, 

I have two paintings in my listing in the bedroom of two potted palms. It looks like the paintings were maybe around the Mediterranean? I'm not sure. I've also not seen these kinds of palms before. 

Right now I have a Sago palm in a ceramic pot. Someone was throwing out the Sago so I got a ceramic pot and looks ok but want it to match the ones in the paintings. 

I used to love the Sago but for some reason just not vibing with it anymore. 




Can someone help ID the palms in the paintings? 😊 

[Alex]

Hello @John5097, 

this is a post that tickled my brain, haha!

I tried to do a google web search using the images you shared and I found that the paintings are created by an artist named "Ruane Manning". As you hinted, the plants depicted are indeed from coastal regions, internet says they are tropical.

Interestingly both the paintings are titled "Island Hideaway" and "Tropical moon island hideaway" respectively and seemingly feature a banana tree and tropical palm tree. However, the exact type remains a mystery! 🌴

Where did you get these paintings from? 🖼️

I'll tag a few plant enthusiasts to see if they can help us identify and crack this mystery: @Elegant-Homes-Retreat0,@Elizabeth1229, @Matthew1033, @Clara116, @Robin4, @Rose422, @John2692, 

Best, 

Alex

[Elizabeth1229]

Hi @John5097 and @Alex,

Could the bottom picture be a Kentia palm, native to Lord Howe Island, Australia?  (Howea fosteriana)  Apparently the palm gained popularity in the Victorian era in Europe and the US.

Have fun with the investigation.

Regards, Elizabeth

[John5097]

@Elizabeth1229 

Thanks! I'll look into it! 

It could be from Australia. I was just curious as I already went down to all the local plant places.

If I can find one I'd make sure it wasn't taken from the wild. 

I happened to just see a post on a Facebook group about Charleston History.

Someone was doing research on a female author, Elizabeth Von Arnim, that caught my attention as I like obscure classic writers. She was originally from New Zealand or Australia who married a German in the late 1800s, and was successful writer.

Thankfully I saved it to my Kindle wish list or would have forgotten the name. 

There were a few movies made from her books, and one of her books was titled "Elizabeth and her German Garden" 

Just curious if you have ever heard of her? 

She ended up living in the Charleston area and was also being treated for some kind of health issues.    

[John5097]

@Alex 

Thanks so much! Wow that's really impressive you were able to ID the painting and artist! 

These were in a garage in storage for like 40 years with a desk gave them to me via a friend of my sister. No one else wanted them but I liked them. I can see why they may not be appealing but they look good in a modern non cluttered room.   

That's really cool I google the artist and painting names and prints of the exact same paining are selling on eBay for $150, but the ones I have are the original oil paintings. 

That's how it is around here. 

I have a several other paintings I haven't hung yet. I downloaded an app that IDs paintings but didn't work for me. 

Someday I'll just end up giving them to someone else as everyone around here gives stuff like this away and it more of a problem not letting this stuff become clutter. 

[Alex]

Hi @John5097!

I'm so happy I was able to help you discover the stories behind these paintings and that more people joined in on this interesting and lovely topic of painting and flowers. 🌴

What do you plan to do with them? Will you keep them as part of your decoration, or are you considering selling them? 🖼️

[John5097]

@Alex 

I'll just leave them where they are and likely end up gifting them to someone else. We gift a lot of rugs and paintings here. I just gave away 5 paintings as I don't have room for them. I heard one of the family who gave me the desk wants that back as it was their grandfathers and been meaning to stop by their clothes store. I'm sure they will offer to pay or give me a store credit but will just give it back. Although me and my sister have a rule once we gift something to each other don't ask about it again. 😂

[Rose422]

Hi there John, interesting question. The first picture looks like a mix of White Bird Of Paradise Strelitzia Nicolai and Monstera Deliciosa “Mexican Breadfruit” or “Swiss Cheese Plant”

The tall one in the second picture looks like a Thatch Palm, second one looks like a European fan palm. 

I am not a palm expert but live in Florida and pretty much googled those names. Hope this helps. There is a possibility one of them might even be a fan tail palm mix. 

[John5097]

@Rose422 

Thanks!

Wow that's really impressive. I guess I'll post this to our local horticulture group as well but they are mostly for growing gardens. 

I'll google those and check them out!

I'm just up the coast and we probably have some of the same palms being sold at nusuries. 

[Clara116]

@John5097  @Alex   Well, those are surely palms and there are many varieties all over the world I'd imagine. 

We in Florida have some Majestic Palms and Cat Palms and they are found easily and look like those in the paintings. Around my home these palms are found at plant centers even Lowes has them. 

Did you know the Sago palm is really one of the most toxic plants for dogs....many people have them in their yards here in Florida and the pups/off shoot bulb of the plant are sweet tasting and are truly super lethal toxic to our dogs.  So if you host guests with dogs, remember- Safety first. 

The home we bought had them in both the front and back yards....I had a sudden dislike for them and looked them up and learned of the danger for my sweet dogs.....I got them out of our yard super quickly. 

I think its interesting that the leaves of the sago are so sharp and hurt which helps, but when they make those bulb/pups the center opens up and drops them off on the ground.....

Happy Hosting & decorating,

Clara116

[John5097]

@Clara116 

It's actually the fruit on the female sago palms that are toxic. There are a lot of sago's around here also. 

There are also lots of palm plants and trees available at our local nursery and even the big box stores.

I also know there are palms all over the world which is why I posted this to try and identify  specially what kind of palms these were. 

Hope your hosting and pets are going well! Don't let them roam around neigbors yards or bring them to listings that have no pet policy and they should be fine! 

* Even the raccoons have canine distemper that's highly contagious. One of my guest a young couple notified me of one that was dying by their door. They put water out for it but it was in the later stages, and took it to a vet that is a drop off place for Keeper of the Wild although I don't think there is a cure for canine distemper. So mention it's not safe for pets. Although they would most likely just chaise after some wildlife and could be very hard to find again. I rescue dogs on the marsh all the time and call their owners.  

[Bradley181]

Try looking up the artist and see if there is any background on the piece even if it’s a copy. You can also put the picture in chat GPT and ask what kind of palm tree it is. It looks kinda like it is from Spain or Portugal. Just my guess. Good luck

[John5097]

@Bradley181 

I did look up the artist thanks to @Alex  

He is still painting and has a Facebook page! 

https://www.facebook.com/ruanemanning/

He is an American artist and was traveling in Europe, maybe Italy as he has this one on his cover page. 

I did download an app Smartly that is supposed to be one of the leading to ID paintings and signatures but it didn't work for me. 

I haven't even tried chat GPT yet! 😂 Its amazing how fast people adapt to technology like this and very useful. 

I tend to like local artist the most but also starting to prefer framed posters of the famous ones I like that are very bright and vibrant, and I can see why Ruane Manning tends to be more popular as it would still fit in with more vibrant style and very soothing. 

[Bradley181]

Glad I could help @John5097 . Feel free to reach out for anything else.

Brad

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @John5097 and @Alex,

What a fascinating thread—thank you for sharing such a thoughtful journey into both art and tropical plant identification! 🌿

From the shared images and the conversation so far, I’d agree with @Rose422 and @Elizabeth1229: the palms appear to resemble a mix of European fan palms, perhaps a Kentia palm, and possibly even stylized banana or tropical foliage added for visual flair by the artist. Given that the artwork is by Ruane Manning, who traveled across Europe and favored coastal, tranquil imagery, this blend makes sense.

Also, kudos to the community for highlighting the important safety point about Sago palms and pets—especially for hosts who allow furry guests.

John, it’s lovely how you’re integrating thoughtful pieces into your space—these small details really do create a unique guest experience. Whether they’re originals or gifted treasures, the stories behind them add warmth that no generic decor can replicate.

Appreciate you all for the creative exchange—this is what makes the Airbnb host community so special!

Warm regards,
@Elegant-Homes-Retreat0
Team Arya Stay