Rhapidophyllum
| Needle palm | |
|---|---|
| |
| Specimen planted in aMarylandback yard | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Subfamily: | Coryphoideae |
| Tribe: | Trachycarpeae |
| Genus: | Rhapidophyllum H.Wendl.&Drude |
| Species: | R. hystrix
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhapidophyllum hystrix | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Rhapidophyllum hystrix,theneedle palm,is apalmnative to coastal margins of thesubtropicaleastern Gulf and south Atlantic states of theUnited States.Populations can be found from coastal southeastSouth Carolina,southward toFloridaand west across the coastal plain ofMississippiand southernAlabama.[2][3][4][5][6]It is one of the mostcold-hardy palmsin the world, and can be found growing in several areas with warm temperate climates.[7]
Description[edit]
The needle palm assumes a shrublike clumping form with several stems growing from a single base, the stems growing very slowly and tightly together, eventually forming a dense base 1–1.2 m (3.3–3.9 ft) tall, with numerous sharp needle-like spines produced between the leaves; these are 10–25 cm (3.9–9.8 in) long and protect the stem growing point from browsing animals. The whole plant can reach 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) tall to the top of the erect central leaves.
It is a fan palm (Arecaceae,subfamilyCoryphoideae), with theleaveswith a longpetioleterminating in a rounded fan of 8–16 leaflets; each leaf is up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long, with the leaflets up to 60–80 cm (24–31 in) long. Theflowersare borne in dense, short clusters at the top of the stems; it is usuallydioeciouswith male and female flowers on separate plants. Thefruitis a browndrupeabout 2 cm (0.79 in) long.[8]
Taxonomy[edit]
It is thesole memberof the genusRhapidophyllum.The scientific nameRhapidophyllummeans "needle-leaf", whilehystrixis from the scientific name of a genus ofporcupines.The English name likewise refers to the needle-like spines produced at the petiole bases; for similar reasons, it is also occasionally called "porcupine palm".
Cultivation and uses[edit]
The needle palm is very popular among palm enthusiasts intemperate climatesfor its ability to tolerate modest cold. Some reports have claimed survival of temperatures as low as −26 °C (−15 °F) with heavy damage, but with the palm recovering. More realistic estimates are closer to −21 °C (−5 °F) with foliar damage. Recovery of winter damage of needle palms is much more precarious in climates with cool summers like thePacific NorthwestandnorthwesternEurope.[9]
In the United States, needle palms are reliably cultivated north along the East Coast toConnecticut,and along the West Coast of the US as far north asSeattle,Washington.Large, well-established specimens have been growing inTennessee,the southernOhio Valley,andWashington, DCat theUnited States National Arboretumsince the 1960s, and more recently in the coastalNew York Cityarea at theBrooklyn Botanic Gardens.It is becoming one of the most popular landscaping palms in theChesapeake Bayarea ofMaryland.Needle palms need hot summers to thrive and the species does not grow well in the cool summer climates mentioned above.[10]
The needle palm is considered to be commercially exploited and thereforethreatened.When purchasing this palm, it is wise to purchase it only from a reputable dealer, as some unscrupulous dealers harvest them directly from the wild.[9][10]
References[edit]
- ^"NatureServe Explorer 2.0".
- ^abKew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^Biota of North America Program, county distribution map
- ^Govaerts, R. & Dransfield, J. (2005). World Checklist of Palms: 1-223. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- ^US Department of Agriculture Plants Profile
- ^Palmpedia,Rhapidophyllum hystrix
- ^Hardiest Palms, Needle Palm -Rhapidophyllum hystrix
- ^Flora of North America, Vol. 22 Page 101,Rhapidophyllum hystrix(Pursh) H. Wendland & Drude, Bot. Zeitung (Berlin). 34: 803. 1876.
- ^abMiami University, Ohio:Cincinnati area hardy palm research
- ^abFloridata:Needle Palm
External links[edit]
- ScanpalmRhapidophyllum
- Rhapidophyllum hystrix- Needle Palm Tree
- Palm & Cycad Societies of Florida:Photos of wild and cultivated specimens
- Plant Delights Nursery
