Ep 24: The Palm Trees of Los Angeles – Icons or Impostors?

Palm trees are as iconic to Los Angeles as the Hollywood sign—but what if we told you most of them don’t even belong here? In this episode of Learned in Trivia, Lina and special guest Misia dive into the fascinating world of palm trees in LA. Misia shares her experiences living in the city while getting quizzed on trivia about native palm species and LA’s leafy impostors.

The girls who google dig into the historical roots of palm planting during the early 1900s, the 1932 Olympics beautification project, and why urban planners today are rethinking palms altogether. The conversation also explores the cultural symbolism of palm trees at SoCal staples like Coachella, and what these towering trees represent in the age of climate consciousness.

Whether you see palm trees as nature’s glam squad or just perfect Instagram props, this episode will change the way you see LA’s skyline. Big thanks to Misia for joining us on Learned in Trivia!