Coccothrinax argentea

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Pronunciation: coe-coe-THRIH-nax ahr-jen-TEE-uh


Common Name: Hispaniola Silver Thatch Palm

Coccothrinax argentea is a very slow growing, thin-stemmed, tall, palmate species that is from the Caribbean Islands of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It is fairly rare in California due to its very slow growth rate in our cooler, Mediterranean climate.

Appearance and Biology
  • Habit: solitary (very rarely clustering) with a crown of 8-15 fan leaves
  • Height: 15' estimate
  • Trunk: single (very rarely multiple); 8" thick; covered with matting and retained, un-split leaf bases
  • Crownshaft: none
  • Spread: 6'-8'
  • Leaf Description: palmate; dark green on top/ somewhat silvery beneath; 3'-4' long; leaf blades divided about half their length (more like 3/4 length with maturity); leaflets stiff when young and droopier with age
  • Petiole/Leaf bases: thin; arching; unarmed; un-split leaf bases, often retained on trunk; clean trunks grey
  • Reproduction: monoecious
  • Inflorescence: from below leaves
  • Fruit:
Horticultural Characteristics
  • Minimum Temp: 29F
  • Drought Tolerance: good
  • Dry Heat Tolerance: good
  • Cool Tolerance: moderate
  • Wind Tolerance: moderate
  • Salt Tolerance: good
  • Growth Rate: very slow
  • Soil Preference: adaptable though likes slightly alkaline soils
  • Light Requirement: filtered to full sun
  • Human Hazards: none
  • Disease or Horticultural Problems: none other than very slow
  • Transplants?: unknown
  • Indoor?: unknown
  • Availability: very rare though sometimes can be obtained mail order from east coast


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