Coccothrinax barbadensis

Common names

Barbados Silver Palm, Thatch Palm, Tyre Palm, Puerto Rican Thatch Palm.

Curiosities

Origin

Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Margarita Island, Barbados, Trinidad.

Habitat

Sandy limestone soils, in coastal areas with brushwood.

Morphology

Up to 10 m tall. The most part of the trunk is naked the upper part is covered with attached fibres. Leaf sheaths composed by 2 layers of thin, not spiny fibres. Leaf lamina with a greyish or silvery underside. Leaflets with transversal nerves. The inflorescences are short and bended, with slightly tubular bracts. Leaves only slightly divided. Fruits purple black.

Climate

Tropical.

Germination

Growing

Needs a sunny position and good drainage, although it is better to protect young plants from sun.