Coccothrinax barbadensis (Puerto Rican Thatch Palm, Lesser Antilles Silver Thatch)
Botanical Information
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Genus | Coccothrinax |
| Species | barbadensis |
| Synonyms | Coccothrinax australis, Coccothrinax dussiana. |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Native to Venezuela and the Caribbean islands. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Leaves used for thatching on roofs. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -1.2 - 4.5 °C |
| Temperature (°F) | 30 - 40 °F |
| Height | 2.5 - 15 m |
| Spread | 1.8 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| Propagation | By seed. |
| Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Coastal and scrub woodland on limestone soils. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Solitary, erect stems, to 15 m tall, and up to 18 cm in diameter, with faint rings from leaf scars. |
| Leaf Description | Blade, about 1.5 m across, divided up to two-thirds its length by numerous, narrow segments that droop at the tips. Upper leaf surface is bright green with a yellow halo surrounding the raised, triangular hastula. The undersurface is silver-grey. |
| Flower Description | Inflorescence is shorter than the leaves, and branched to two orders with up to 10 primary branches. |
| Fruit Description | The fruits are spherical, 6-12 mm in diameter and purplish-black when ripe. |
Photographs
Coccothrinax barbadensis, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Coccothrinax barbadensis, leaf. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.