Coccothrinax miraguama

Common names

Miraguama Palm.

Curiosities

Leaves are used for roof thatching and in crafts.

Origin

Cuba and Island of Hispaniola (the actual Haiti and Dominican Republic).

Habitat

Coastal areas and savannah, on mogotes, in sandy, serpentine and limestone soils. A big population exists on the slopes of Sierra de Bohoruco together with pino criollo (Pinus occidentalis).

Morphology

A single trunk covered with a showing fibrous sheath, up to 15 m tall and 15 cm in diameter. Palmate (not costapalmate) leaves. Flowers white or yellowish and fruits purple-black or purple-rosy.

Climate

This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –2.2ºC (28ºF, USDA Zone 9b).

Germination

Seeds usually take 3 to 4 months to germinate.

Growing

Requires good drainage. Drought and salinity resistant.