FNPS Plant Database

Thrinax radiata

Florida thatch palm
  • 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

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

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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

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, 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.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

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


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


Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Minno, Marc, and Maria Minno. (1999). Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


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


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, FL.

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