Trithrinax campestris

Common names

Caranday Palm, Blue Needle Palm.

Curiosities

Leaves are used for roof thatching and to make brooms and baskets.

Origin

Argentina, Uruguay.

Habitat

In semi-arid regions, along dry rivers.

Morphology

A clumping or single-trunked palm. The palmate leaves are stiff, rounded, and bluish, and have a very rigid and spiny petiole. Inflorescences are short and strong, rather outstanding, and have creamy/whitish hermaphrodite flowers. White/yellow rounded fruits.

Climate

Subtropical to temperate.

Germination

Seed germination is slow; the plant shows up 3 to 8 months after seed germination. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –11.6ºC (11.2ºF, USDA Zone 8a).

Growing

Can grow on rocky, poor, limestone or sandy soils, if drainage is good. Tolerates drought, full sun and partial shade. Frost tolerant to –9°C.