Photo by: Shirley Denton (Windley Key Geological State Park)

Nomenclature

Common Name:

brittle thatch palm, Key thatch palm

Synonym(s):

Thrinax morrisii

Genus species:

Leucothrinax morrisii

Family:

Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

palm

Size:

6-15 ft tall by 5-10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

white

Phenology:

Evergreen, slow growing. Blooms all year with spring maximum.

Noted For:

Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree, understory tree. It grows slowly.

Considerations:

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--- Very 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, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host plant for monk skipper ( Asbolis capucinus ) butterflies.

Used as a bird nesting area and food source.

Native Habitats:

Coastal strand, maritime hammock, pine rockland, rockland hammock, coastal berm

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

The fan-shaped leaves are about 3 feet across and have silvery undersides.



Listed as Endangered by the FDACS.  Please act responsibly and acquire only from properly licensed nurseries.