Coccothrinax scoparia

Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks) scoparia (scoh-pahr-EE-ah)
Fairchild Botanical Gardens, Florida.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks) Species: scoparia (scoh-pahr-EE-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Highland Silver Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Coccothrinax scoparia is endemic to the Island of Hispaniola, esp. Haiti.

Found mainly in pine forest, at higher altitudes, in the mountains at the center of the island, both in Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Description

Trunk type: Solitary. An attractive, medium sized fan palm, to about 12m high, with a flat, stiff, partially segmented but completely circular leaf. Very similar in appearance to C. miraguama , the main difference being that this species has considerably thinner pinnae. Leaf detail: Palmately compound. (Ryan Gallivan)

Culture

Requirements: Full sun, fair to moderate water, well drained position.

Comments and Curiosities

A beautiful, mid-sized palm from the island of Hispaniola, where it is found mainly in pine forest at higher altitudes in the mountains in the center of the island, both in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Closely related and similar to C. miraguama, it forms a thin, solitary trunk, clothed in its upper part in coarse leafsheath fibers, which supports a small crown of beautiful, very rigid, circular leaves that are green above and silvery white below. It is best suited for the drier tropics and can withstand a light freeze and some coastal exposure. (RPS.com)