Autumn is perhaps the best season to enjoy the Palmetum. Tropical species peak during these months, after the heat of summer. Most palm species bear colourful fruits at this time.
In September and October, typical summer species are still blooming. With the fresher weather of November cooler weather species begin to thrive, usually coinciding with the first rains after summer. It is at this time that the vegetation becomes lusher and most tropical species are at their most vibrant. The Palmetum becomes awash with flowers and fruits.
In the Africa section, the beautiful Hibiscus schizopetalus may be seen almost every day. In the Caribbean section, different species of Plumeria continue to bloom, white andscented, almost until the end of the year. The Barringtonia asiaticaadorns the Asia section with magnificent flowers that can only be seen in the morning, as they are ephemeral and fall to the ground shortly after noon. The Hyophorbe indica palm scents the Mascarene section with its highly fragrant flowers. In the Octagon, we are entranced by the bromeliads with their flamboyant inflorescences and the Brazilian Clitoria fairchildiana is in bloom. In the stream water, hyacinths (Eichhornia) open up their petals almost daily.
In autumn, many palm species bear fruit. It is easy to spot palms all over the park with colourful, sometimes spectacular, drupes (stone fruits). The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) fruit can usually be seen growing in bunches. Various edible tropical fruits may also be seen during this period. Fruits grow on the breadfruit tree (Artocarpus camansi) in the section dedicated to the flora of Melanesia, and will mature by the end of the year; acerolas (Malpighia emarginata) in the Caribbean, orangeberries (Glycosmis) in Asia and nonis (Morinda citrifolia) in various areas. In the main lake, the curious fruits of the mangroves ripen and fall into the water in late winter.
Many species native to the Canary Islands have a period of winter growth. Now is when the Canarian plants growing by the Palmetum entrance, and which have been dormant during the summer, begin to flourish. The most striking flowers are the Canary Sea Daffodils (Pancratium canariensis), bulbous plants that grow along the path at the park entrance. Between November and December, they adorn the Palmetum entrance with their white flowers.
In mid-autumn birdlife is also on the increase as many migratory birds come to the Palmetum. The most eye-catching among them are the purple heron and the egret, which regularly visit the lakes.