| A genus containing between fifteen and fifty monoecious and palmate-leaved palms.
These palms come from the Caribbean area and can be either solitary-trunked or clumping. The trunks are usually covered with
long fibers. These palms may be a little slow growing, but they are tolerant of drought and salinity. |
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1. C. argentata (Silver Palm, Thatch Palm)
Height: up to 20 feet
Size of Crown: 6-8 feet |
| Cultural requirements and other comments: This solitary-trunked
palm can be found in grasslands or coastal areas of Florida and the Bahamas. It is sometimes called “Thatch Palm” because of its
fibrous trunk. C. argentata grows best in full sun with adequate drainage and can tolerate some drought. The dark
green, rounded, palmate leaves make it an attractive palm in the landscape. Its size makes it a good candidate in smaller
landscapes. It is highly salt tolerant and grows well in a wide range of soil types. |
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2. C. barbadensis
Height: up to 40 feet
Size of Crown: 6 feet wide |
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Cultural requirements and other comments: This palm
shares many of the attributes of the Silver Palm,
including the circular leaves with silver undersides,
very thin trunk and adaptability to coastal climates
with poor soils. Differences would include this palm
being taller, having more deeply divided leaves and
bearing white fruit. C. barbadensis is
another good choice for coastal areas on the leeward
sides of the Hawaii Islands. |
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3. C. boschiana
Height: 30 feet
Size of Crown: 6 feet |
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Cultural requirements and other comments: This palm
is restricted to a single area in the Dominican Republic
where it clings to rocky cliffs right on the ocean. The
circular leaves are golden above and silver below. It
will undoubtedly make a great ornamental, tough, salt
tolerant with interesting fibers clinging to the trunk. |
