FNPS Plant Database

Pseudophoenix sargentii

Florida cherry-palm, buccaneer palm
  • Photo by: NULL
  • Photo by: Roger Hammer, Dade Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Florida cherry-palm, buccaneer palm

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Pseudophoenix sargentii

Family:

Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant Specifics

Form:

Palm

Size:

10 (20) ft tall by 8–10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

Evergreen

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. The smooth old leaf bases give this palm an elegant tropical look. Good salt and wind tolerance make this a good choice for somewhat sheltered coastal settings.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Specialty Provider, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

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

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

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts bees.

Native Habitats:

Tropical rockland hammock

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This species is endangered in Florida. Please acquire only through reputable nurserymen. To maintain the genetic integrity of the species, please use only local (Florida) stock (the species also grows in the Caribbean). This species was almost eliminated from its Florida Keys natural populations by a combination of theft, vandalism, habitat destruction, and Hurricane Andrew.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. (1993+). Flora of North America North of Mexico. (a href="https://floranorthamerica.org/Pseudophoenix_sargentii_subsp._sargentii" target="_blank">https://floranorthamerica.org/Pseudophoenix_sargentii_subsp._sargentii). Accessed 2026.


Gann, G.D, C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Pseusarg ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


South Florida Water Management District. (2003). Waterwise Palms. ( https://www.sfwmd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ww3_waterwise_palms.pdf ). Accessed 2026. South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, FL.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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