Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida thatch palm

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Thrinax radiata

Family:

Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

palm

Size:

15-30 ft tall by 5-15 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,NA

Fruit Color:

white,NA

Phenology:

Evergreen. Slow growing. Moderately long-lived (Nelson 2003).

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Aroma/Showy Fruitsagrance, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Accent or specimen tree in the landscape, also good along roadsides and median strips. Grows slowly.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

De-pulped seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Short 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, 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 ).





Attracts bees.

Used as nesting site and food source for birds.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock, coastal berm, maritime hammock. Calcareous soils including seasonally inundated flats and shallow depressions.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Leaves are 2-3 feet across. Listed as Endangered by the state of Florida.