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? 😊 

[John5097]

@Elegant-Homes-Retreat0 

Thanks so much for such a thoughtful post! I'll need to look into the fan palms, those are popurl here but think the kind available are originally from China. The Sago may also be from China and few other places. It's one of the oldest plants on the planet.

That was interesting to learn of the artist as well. I always had assumed it was older and done by someone in europe.

I think you might be right that he may have taken some artistic liberties as one does look kind of like a banana plant. Those grow here as well. A friend gave me one once, and just pulled it up out of the ground, I just planted and never watered it and it did just fine.

I was thinking also maybe one of the paintings looked like India with the other palm trees in the back but I've never been to Italy or India, but maybe the artist was adding a style at the time.

As far as sago palms being a risk to pets, I've never heard of any pet being hurt by eating one.

However it's really common for guest dogs or host dogs to bite and attack a neighbors dog.

Here is a link to a discussion here at the Community Forums of a guest's dog attacking a neighbor's dog, and another host said the same thing happened to him as well.

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-cafe/My-Guest-s-dogs-broke-my-fence-and-attacked-the-n...

Airbnb has likely settled many millions of dollars every year for dog attacks but never had a claim for a dog eating a sago palm.

Have a great day and your post here at the Community Forums are so appreciated! You really make me want to visit India some day in the not too distant future!  


* BTW, for anyone else following this,  I didn't know sagos were toxic to eat when I rescued that one someone was throwing out. We also have other plants, including other palm trees that have toxic fruit, and mushrooms, that are toxic for people and dogs. The female sago is also very obvious fruit that grows up in the middle in a big cone. The fans are also so prickly they will poke when touched and painful. I can't even pick leaves off them without a painful jab that leaves a rash. That's kind of why I'm not vibing with it as much.  

[Elegant-Homes-Retreat0]

Hi @John5097,

Thank you so much for such an engaging and detailed follow-up! It’s always a pleasure to exchange perspectives with fellow hosts who share a genuine curiosity for art, nature, and guest safety.

You brought up some fascinating points—the history and origin of sago palms is indeed ancient and global, and it’s interesting how widely they've traveled, from China to the southern U.S., to gardens worldwide. I completely agree—artists like Ruane Manning do often blend inspirations from multiple places. His palette and scenes may not always reflect one specific region, but rather an emotional blend of Mediterranean, tropical, and even South Asian vibes. That’s the beauty of artistic liberty!

Regarding guest pets and safety—your insight into real-world incidents is sobering and important. While some of us emphasize plant safety (like sago toxicity), your reminder about more common behavioral risks such as dog-on-dog aggression is extremely valid. Every host needs to evaluate what’s most relevant to their location, layout, and guest type. Thank you for sharing that link—it’s eye-opening and should definitely be read by anyone considering pet-friendly listings.

We’d absolutely love to welcome you to India someday! Our region in Vadodara blends historic architecture, vibrant culture, and peaceful spaces—ideal for those who love quiet inspiration (and maybe some new plant-spotted paintings too 😉).

Warm wishes and thanks again for such a kind and curious conversation.

– Team Arya Stay

[John5097]

@Elegant-Homes-Retreat0 

I also have a lot of native palm trees and shrubs that pop up all over the yard. 

I tend to like the native plants anyway. 
This one popped up on its own right along the walkway to the guest entrance after I started renting it out.  

It's pretty cool as it looks enough like the paintings. 

They are all over the yard. Here is another beneath one of the really old oak trees.




I would imagine the marsh area and climate is very similar to parts of India. 

I enjoyed reading Jhumpa Lahiri who was born in the UK but her short stories are based in the US and India, and has a novel titled The Lowland, and or area is called "The Lowcountry" 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17262100-the-lowland

Our state flag also has the palmetto tree. Back in the Revolutionary War Fort Sumpter, which is only a mile from me, only had three of its walls built made of very think brick walls that could withstand cannon balls from ships, and the fourth wall they hastily constructed with Palmetto trees, as they are very soft, and the British targeted the wooden wall, but the cannon balls bounced off and just dented the soft wood. 



Thanks again for the kind words and look forward to more discussions in other topics!