Needle Palm

The Needle Palm is a very hardy palm to
zone 8. While it grows natively in the
understory of rich hardwood forests, it can
be adapted to full sun and makes an
interesting specimen plant. The Needle
Palm is native to the Southeastern United
States. Of the tribe Corypheae, and
subfamily Coryphoideae it is also known by
the botanic name Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Common Name: Needle Palm

Botanical Name: Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Subfamily: Coryphoideae

Plant Type: Clustering, trunkless palm tree

Origin: Southeastern United States

Zones: 8 - 10

Height: 5'

Rate of Growth: Slow, slowest in the
northern end of it range.

Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Soil Requirements: Widely adaptable

Water Requirements: High drought
tolerance after establishment.

Nutritional Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: Moderate, High

Form: Clustering, trunkless palm

Leaves: Palmate, induplicate, divided
deeply into 15-20 blunt and jagged tipped
segments.

Inflorescence: 1' long, held among the crown
fibers and leaves.

Fruits: Purple-brown, wooly

Pests or diseases: None

Uses: Accent palm

Bad Habits: Spiny trunk from needle-like
fibers from decayed leaf base, seed slow
and unreliable in germination.