Barbados Thatch Palm

Coccothrinax barbadensis (Lodd. ex Mart.) Becc.

co-co-THRY-nax  bar-ba-DEN-sis

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: For the generic name see Coccothrinax argentata. Barbadensis means “from Barbados.”

Natural range: Lesser Antilles, including Barbados, Venezuela

Natural habitat: Coastal vegetation, often calcareous soil (JON). Cultivated in Barbados, the tree grows on extremely thin limestone-based soils in full exposure to sun and wind without irrigation (PBCC).

Recognition: Exceptionally tall and slender palmate-leaved, single-trunked palm. The trunks look like flagpoles. The leaves are somewhat silvery beneath. The trunk is bare. See C. argentata for comparison of Coccothrinax species.

Landscape uses: An unusually tall and slender palm capped with a tuft of leaves that flutter in the wind. Barbados Thatch Palm looks best in maritime circumstances as a specimen palm, in clusters, and/or associated with other, shorter palms (as it may be examined in the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden in West Palm Beach). ELL gives 2-4 months for germination.