Silver Palm, Silver Thatch Palm

Coccothrinax argentata (Jacq.) Bailey

co-co-THRY-nax  are-gen-TATE-ah

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: Coccothrinax apparently comes from Greek, coccos, grain or berry, and from the generic name thrinax, which comes from Greek for trident. Argentata means silvery.

Natural range: Southern Florida, Caribbean. Primarily open pinelands, scrub, grasslands, coastal dunes (RI2, TOM)

Recognition: Single-trunked, slender, deeply lobed, palmate-leaved palm with the leaf blades silvery beneath and the petiole bases unsplit (contrary to the similar Key Thatch Palm, Leucothrinax morrisii (better known as Thrinax morrisii). The petiole is smooth, and the fruit is purple-black.

Thrinax differs from Coccothrinax by having white (vs. blackish) fruits, inflorescences as long as or longer than the leaves (vs. shorter), and petioles split at the base (vs. not split).

Coccothrinax alta Becc., Puerto Rican Thatch Palm, is similar and is available commercially. It is often larger, with the lobes on the leaves wider (2” vs. 1” according to MEE) and divided only to about the middle or a little beyond (vs. divided more deeply-about 3/4).

            Note the confusing similarity of the name of Coccothrinax argentata to that of the Hispaniolan Thatch Palm, Coccothrinax argentea K. Schum., which is not encountered much in Florida. The Hispaniolan species has transverse veinlets on the undersides of its leaflets (C. alta has these too but C. argentata does not).

Landscape uses: A tough, native, small, slow-growing, stiff palm in scale with residential spaces. The most outstanding feature is the silvery leaf undersides fluttering in the wind. Best used as a specimen tree or accent. Can be used on seashore sites. Though best in the sun, UFST176 and HAE indicate shade tolerance. ELL gives 2-4 months for germination.