Needle Palm

Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Pursh) Wendl. & Drude

RAY-pah-doe-FILL-um HISS-tricks

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: The generic name comes from Greek rhapis, needle, and phyllon, leaf. Hystrix means resembling a hedgehog (JON).

Natural range: Southeastern United States, in Florida restricted to the northern 2/3 of the state, reaching its natural southern limit near the north end of Lake Okeechobee, apparently not native in Palm Beach County.  Hammocks, ravines, edges of floodplain woods on moist sites, often on alkaline soil (NE4, RI2)

Recognition: A small (5’), stemless or short-stemmed, clumping, native, palmate-leaved palm with long very narrow leaf segments and with long needle-like spines from leaf fibers on the petiole and stem. The leaves are whitish on the undersides. The brown fruits are hairy.

Landscape uses: Used more to the north of Palm Beach County. This small, clumping native species is tough and exceptionally cold-tolerant, reportedly cultivated as far north as Cape Cod (HAE). Although JON mentions cultivation in full sun with adequate irrigation, the species is native to shaded understory conditions, and RI2 notes that sun-grown specimens are not attractive. Germination in 6-8 months with bottom heat (ELL).