Coccothrinax barbadensis (Puerto Rican Thatch Palm, Lesser Antilles Silver Thatch)


Botanical Information

FamilyArecaceae
GenusCoccothrinax
Speciesbarbadensis
SynonymsCoccothrinax australis, Coccothrinax dussiana.
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to Venezuela and the Caribbean islands.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Leaves used for thatching on roofs.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10b
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH2
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-1.2 - 4.5 °C
Temperature (°F)30 - 40 °F
Height2.5 - 15 m
Spread1.8 m
GrowthSlow

Description and Growing Information

PropagationBy seed.
Notable SpecimensHarry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
HabitatCoastal and scrub woodland on limestone soils.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSolitary, erect stems, to 15 m tall, and up to 18 cm in diameter, with faint rings from leaf scars.
Leaf DescriptionBlade, 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 DescriptionInflorescence is shorter than the leaves, and branched to two orders with up to 10 primary branches.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruits are spherical, 6-12 mm in diameter and purplish-black when ripe.

Photographs