Difference between revisions of "Rhapidophyllum hystrix"

From Palmpedia - Palm Grower's Guide
Jump to: navigation, search
(New page: This is the most cold hardy of all palms surviving temps as low as 0F, and probably 5 degrees lower. Even lower temps may cut this palm to the ground, but as it is a suckering palm, it ma...)
 
(more details)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
This is the most cold hardy of all palms surviving temps as low as 0F, and probably 5 degrees lower. Even lower temps may cut this palm to the ground, but as it is a suckering palm, it may come back from freezes as low as -10F. The length of the freeze is important, though, and any prolonged freeze that low will freeze the soil may kill this palm.  But leaf damage happens at or below 0F.  This palm is unique in that it also tolerates a tropical climate as well, making it the most adaptable palm species in existence. Some argue Nanorrhops, because of its tremendous drought tolerance, is equally adaptable, but that's like comparing apples to oranges.
+
{{Palmbox
 +
|image=
 +
|image_caption=
 +
|genus='''''Rhapidophyllum'''''
 +
|species='''''hystrix'''''
 +
|continent=america
 +
|habit=clumped
 +
|leaf_type=palmate
 +
|height=1-1.2 m
 +
|trunk_diameter=
 +
|sun_exposure=part to full sun
 +
|watering=
 +
|soil_type=
 +
|common_names=Needle Palm
 +
|synonyms=
 +
}}
 +
{{Palm Page}}
 +
 
 +
==Habitat and Distribution==
 +
 
 +
Native to southeastern United States, from central Florida to Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Alabama.
 +
 
 +
==Description==
 +
 
 +
A palmate palm with a short, dense clustered base eventually to 1-1.2 m tall, covered in dense long needle-like spines from the leaf bases.
 +
 
 +
Old specimens have a rounded crown up to 3 m tall, of dark green palmate leaves 1-2 m long, with 8-16 leaflets, these 60-80 cm long, arranged in an open fan at the end of a 60-120 cm petiole.
 +
 
 +
The species is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The fruit is dark brown when ripe, oval, about 2 cm long, with a single seed. They are produced on densely branched panicles.
 +
 
 +
==Cultivation==
 +
 
 +
''Rhapidophyllum hystrix'' is probably the second-hardiest palm known (after ''[[Trachycarpus fortunei]]''), tolerating winter temperatures down to about -20°C, but unlike that species, demanding a hot summer continental climate with long periods over 30°C. Winter temperatures below -20°C will cut this palm to the ground, but as it is a suckering palm, it may come back from freezes that kill the foliage. The length of the freeze is important, though, and any prolonged freeze that low will freeze the soil will kill the palm.
 +
 
 +
In the eastern United States, successful outdoor cultivation has been reported north to New York.
 +
 
 +
Because of its need for hot summers, cultivation in more northern areas like most of Europe, and the Pacific Northwest of North America, has not been successful even where winters are mild.
 +
 
 +
[[Category:RHAPIDOPHYLLUM|hystrix]]

Revision as of 06:09, 31 January 2010

Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Help to make this reference box better by uploading a representative photo of this palm.

Scientific Classification
Genus: Rhapidophyllum
Species: hystrix
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: clumped
Leaf type: palmate
Height: 1-1.2 m
Culture
Sun exposure: part to full sun
Survivability index
Common names
Needle Palm


Habitat and Distribution

Native to southeastern United States, from central Florida to Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Alabama.

Description

A palmate palm with a short, dense clustered base eventually to 1-1.2 m tall, covered in dense long needle-like spines from the leaf bases.

Old specimens have a rounded crown up to 3 m tall, of dark green palmate leaves 1-2 m long, with 8-16 leaflets, these 60-80 cm long, arranged in an open fan at the end of a 60-120 cm petiole.

The species is dioecious, with separate male and female trees. The fruit is dark brown when ripe, oval, about 2 cm long, with a single seed. They are produced on densely branched panicles.

Cultivation

Rhapidophyllum hystrix is probably the second-hardiest palm known (after Trachycarpus fortunei), tolerating winter temperatures down to about -20°C, but unlike that species, demanding a hot summer continental climate with long periods over 30°C. Winter temperatures below -20°C will cut this palm to the ground, but as it is a suckering palm, it may come back from freezes that kill the foliage. The length of the freeze is important, though, and any prolonged freeze that low will freeze the soil will kill the palm.

In the eastern United States, successful outdoor cultivation has been reported north to New York.

Because of its need for hot summers, cultivation in more northern areas like most of Europe, and the Pacific Northwest of North America, has not been successful even where winters are mild.

Retrieved from "https://palmpedia.net/wiki/index.php5?title=Rhapidophyllum_hystrix&oldid=20494"