Pseudophoenix sargentii

Common names

Buccaneer Palm, Cherry Palm.

Curiosities

Dedicated to Charles S. Sargent, the first collector.

Origin

U.S.A. (Florida Keys), Belize, Mexico, Cuba, Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) and Bahamas.

Habitat

The most common palm of this genus. Grows in wind-sheltered, coastal areas, on limestone and sandy soils. Threatened in Hispaniola by the wild donkeys that eat the leaves. Tolerates flooding with salty water.

Morphology

Grows up to 4 to 8 m tall and 30 cm in diameter. Leaves are greenish-blue above and silvery below, with erect leaflets distributed in different planes. Globular, red fruits up to 1.7 cm in diameter. The subspecies saonae, which originates from Saona Island and is found in the East National Park, differs from Pseudophoenix sargentii ssp. sargenti in the bigger fruits and the stronger trunk. Pseudophoenix sargentii ssp. navasana, which originates from the Navassa Island (Coastal Haiti), can be differentiated by the leaflets, white above and silvery below

Climate

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

Germination

Growing

A common ornamental palm. Requires a sunny position and a well-drained, sandy soil. Tolerant to extreme conditions like salinity, strong wind and even occasional frosts.