Sabal causiarum

Common names

Puerto Rican Hat Palm, Puerto Rico Palmetto.

Curiosities

Leaves were used to make hats, baskets and mats.

Origin

Puerto Rico, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti).

Habitat

Sandy dunes near the sea and rainforests.

Morphology

A massive, columnar, single trunk that can reach 10 m height and 50 cm in diameter, with a grey, naked surface. Twenty to 30 big, palmate leaves per plant, divided about half their length in 60 to 120 rigid segments with long, non-persistent petioles. Flowers white. Fruits spherical or oblong, small (1 cm in diameter), dark in colour, hanging over the leaves. The crown looks small for a such impressive trunk.

Climate

Tropical to warm temperate. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –6ºC (21.2ºF, USDA Zone 9a).

Germination

Fresh seeds germinate quickly.

Growing

This palm is tolerant to any kind of soil (although prefers sandy soils) as well as to sea  saltpetre. Prefers good drainage and plenty of fertilizers. Generally a slow grower. Tolerates frosts down to -5°C. Needs a sunny position. Drought tolerant. Widely planted all over the world in gardens or along roads. Can be grown inside as a youngster, doesn’t mind dry atmosphere.