Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida silver palm

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Coccothrinax argentata

Family:

Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

palm

Size:

5-20 ft tall by to 5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,NA

Fruit Color:

red,purple

Phenology:

Evergreen. Slow growing.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. Slow-growing hedge or background plant. Notable for the silver-white undersides to its leaves.

Considerations:

Slow growing.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

De-pulped seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for monk skipper ( Asbolis capucinus ).





Bees are attracted to the flowers (Khorsand 2009).

Used by birds for nesting and food.

Native Habitats:

Pine rockland, rockland hammock, maritime hammock

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

In the West Indies, it is used for making baskets, hats and other crafts.

General Comments:

It is listed as threatened by the state of Florida.  Should be acquired only from properly licensed sources.