Guihaia argyrata

Common names

Dainty Lady Palm, Guilin Dwarf Palm.

Curiosities

Origin

South of China.

Habitat

Open forest on limestone hills.

Morphology

A clumping palm with a bushy appearance. The trunks, up to 0.5 m long, are erect or leaning, and have fibrous leaf sheaths with spreading spines. Palmate leaves, with reduplicate (tile-shaped) segments, bright silvery-white below. Fruits are small, round and black.

Climate

Subtropical, temperate. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –6.1ºC. (21.1ºF, USDA Zone 9a).

Germination

Seeds germinate irregularly.

Growing

Requires a well-drained, sunny position, in an alkaline soil.