Palms   Cold Hardy Palms

Species Descriptions Table of Contents Brahea Butia Chamaedorea Chamaerops Jubaea Nannorrhops Phoenix Rhapidophyllum Sabal Trachycarpus Key to Trachycarpus Trithrinax Washingtonia Morphology Synonyms   BRAHEA (Rock Palm): Species of Brahea are native to Baja California, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and neighboring areas. Nearly all Brahea species require full sun, excellent drainage and low humidity, although a few have been grown in the humid southeast. The non-trunking species ( B. decumbens & B. moore i) are differentiated by their inflorescence and leaf color. The trunking species are sometimes difficult to separate, in which case species are ascribed to localized populations. It is useful to know where your plant is from because particular populations may be hardier to cold. Brahea armata Peckerwood Gardens Brahea armata Blue Hesper Palm: Native to Baja California, B. armata has stiff silvery leaves, and its inflorescences erupt from within the leaves and dramatically weep in long streamers towards the ground. Tall specimens in flower look like alien space craft with numerous golden, downward pointing jets, or an aerial medusa with long, gold, graceful tentacles. Z8b, 8a Brahea berlandieri Rock Palm: The northernmost population of the Brahea dulcis complex, Brahea berlandieri is found in Tamaulipas, Mexico where individuals may cling to sheer rock faces. Adult specimens have survived brief 5F (-15C) exposure in Texas, but I've had young plants die at 20F (-7C). Bluish green leaves. Z8b, 8a. Brahea decumbens Blue Dwarf Rock Palm: Brahea decumbens is perhaps the most coveted palm of this genus. It is absolutely stunning in old age because its leaves are brilliant silvery-blue. Seedlings produce green leaves, taking eight years to produce powdery leaves. Slightly more cold hardy than its showy relative - Brahea moorei . Z8b, 8a. Brahea decumbens Peckerwood Gardens Brahea dulcis Rock Palm: Mexico to Nicaragua. Prefers well-drained sites and low humidity, although excellent specimens are grown in Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Florida. Z8b, 8a. Brahea edulis Guadalupe Palm: The only Brahea that drops its dead leaves, giving it a clean look. Native to Guadalupe Island, it is endangered by goats that eat the seedlings. Fortunately it is popular in southwest landscapes and seedlings are avidly reared. Z9a, 8b. Brahea moorei Peckerwood Gardens Brahea moorei Spearmint Rock Palm: Native to northeast Mexico, Sierra Madre Oriental, where it inhabits light shade, B. moorei is highly ornamental but doesn't form a trunk. Do not despair, its leaves are arresting. Older specimens have the backs of the leaves frosted pure white, in high contrast to the very green leaf front. Z8b, 8a. Brahea nitida Guatemala Rock Palm: Native to Guatemala. Brahea nitida is the only Brahea whose leaf petioles are not armed. Z9a, 8b. BUTIA (Jelly Palm): Species of Butia are native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. There are trunking and non-trunking species. Butia provides us with the cold-hardiest pinnate palms - Butia capitata odorata and Butia eriospatha . Butia prefer well drained sandy-loam to loamy soils, although adequate moisture is needed. Full sun or part shade is best for most varieties. As the name implies, the fruits of some species are used to make jelly. Butia capitata Butia capitata Author's Garden Butia capitata Jelly Palm: Found in Brazil and Uruguay; cultivated in southeastern USA. Significant leaf damage begins about 10F (-12C), but the plant may survive brief periods to about 6F (-14C). Can be grown in clay soils with good drainage. Fruit is large, orange to yellow & reportedly delicious. Z8b, 8a Butia capitata var 'odorata'Southern Jelly Palm: Perhaps the cold-hardiest pinnate palm, native to southern Brazil and Uruguay. It has smaller fruit and a more compact form than its northerly neighbors, and greener leaves. Z8a, 7b Butia eriospatha Wooly Jelly Palm: Native to extreme southern Brazil, the Wooly Jelly Palm gets its name from the fuzzy spathe (sheathing bract) that protects the young flower stalk. It may be cold hardier than Butia capitata var 'odorata'. Z8a, 7b Butia paraguayensis Dwarf Jelly Palm: From Paraguay and southern Brazil, this jelly palm forms a subterranean trunk that may very slowly become aerial, rarely more than 6-feet tall. Z8b, 8a Butia purpurascens Purple Jelly Palm: Native to central Brazil, this palm gets its name from its purple fruit (rather than the orange or yellow fruit typical to the genus). Z8b, 8a. Butia yatay Yatay Palm: Native to Argentina. Seeds are larger and the trunk is thinner than B. capitata . May be prone to bud-rot in humid climates, in which case Butia capitata would be a better choice. Z8b, 8a. Butia yatay Bamboo Farm, Savannah, Georgia Chamaedorea microspadix Bamboo Palm: Native to mountainous areas of Mexico where it inhabits deep shade in very moist, rocky, well-drained soil. Somewhat resembles bamboo in that it has a thin trunk and pinnate leaves. Leaves are cold hardy to 22F (-6C) and the stem is hardy to about 12F (-11C), though it achieves its best form where unharmed by severe frost. Brilliant red berries will reward those who are successful with this nice palm. Z8b, 8a. Chamaedorea radicalis Chamaedorea radicalis Another native of mountains of Mexico, but has no or very little trunk. Requirements same as Chamaedora microspadix . Z8b, 8a. Chamaerops humilis Mediterranean Fan Palm: Native to lands on the western half of the Mediterranean Sea, this is an easy and rewarding palm in Zone8a and above, however do not plant where pedestrian traffic is expected as the leaf stems have sharp teeth. Z8b, 8a. Chamaerops humilis cerifera Blue Mediterranean Fan Palm. Same as above except leaves are silvery blue. Z8b, 8a. Chamaerops humilis Moody Gardens, Galveston Jubaea chilensis Chilean Wine Palm: This stunning palm is native to cool, windswept areas of Chile. A more dramatic pinnate palm would be hard to find, although reports of its cold hardiness are often exaggerated. Large, very green leaves much like Phoenix canariensis grace an immense trunk. Leaf damage begins around 15F (-9C), but individuals have survived exposure to 10F (-12C), possibly lower. It is absolutely dramatic where it can be grown without winter damage, but it dislikes tropical heat. Z8b, 8a Nannorrhops ritchiana Mazari Palm: Native to Pakistan & Afghanistan. This palm comes from a desert and requires desert conditions. Perhaps no other palm receives higher unsubstantiated accolades for its cold hardiness. Requires excellent drainage, full sun all day long, and most critical of all, no or little water in winter if freezing temperatures are to be encountered. Leaves are green to grayish-green. May or may not form a narrow, inclined trunk. The only cold hardy palm whose inflorescence arises from the very end of the stem. The tip of the stem dies back after flowering, like a yucca. Z8b, 8a. Nannorrhops ritchiana 'silver' The silver form of Mazari Palm, perhaps a separate species, and less cold hardy than the green form. Z8b, 8a PHOENIX (Date Palm): Native to well drained soils in full sun from Africa and the Mediterranean, Phoenix species are pinnate, trunk forming palms, some of which are marginally cold hardy. I list these species only because some enthusiasts in Zone 8a and 8b may want to risk adding a date palm to their outdoor collection. Phoenix species are less cold hardy than the Butia species, and I would direct everyone who desires a beautiful, cold hardy pinnate palm to the Butias. Nevertheless, here are the marginally cold hardy date palms. Z9. Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Date Palm Z9, 8b. Elegant, long, deep green glossy leaves have dangerously pointed pinnae near their leaf bases (like all Phoenix species). Leaves are damaged at about 18F (-8C). A solitary specimen is impressive, and a grove is simply awe-inspiring. Massive trunk. Phoenix canariensis Mercer Arboretum Phoenix dactylifera , Moody Gardens, Galveston Phoenix dactylifera Date Palm. Leaf hardy to about 15F (-9C) or so, this species is easily grown in Mediterranean climates. Forms suckers/offsets from the base. Z9, 8b. Phoenix loureiroi humilis Mountain Date Palm: As the name implies, this non-suckering species occurs in the mountains from India and China to the Philippines. There is hope that a palm from the Himalayas would be quite cold hardy. Z9, 8b. Phoenix loureiroi pedunculata Dwarf Mountain Date Palm: As the name implies, this small species occurs in the mountains from India and China to the Philippines. If it forms a trunk, it is short, and it typically has many suckers/offsets, making it easy to distinguish from the subspecies humilis . Z9, 8b. Phoenix sylvestris Silver Date Palm: Silver Date Palm is another beauty for Mediterranean climates, it is has silvery leaves and a thin, tall trunk. Z9. Phoenix theoprastii Crete Date Palm: From Crete comes the reportedly cold hardiest date palm. Crete Date Palm sports silvery green leaves and often multiple trunks. Z8b, 8a. Phoenix theoprastii Bamboo Farm, Savannah Needle Palmat Jaycee Park, Raleigh, NC. Rhapidophyllum hystrix Needle Palm: One of the great native palms of the southeastern USA, the Needle Palmis absolutely the cold-hardiest trunk-forming palm in the world, able to withstand brief exposure to 20F (-29C), with no leaf damage at 4F (-20C). It naturally occurs in South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Its name derives from the fact that its stout trunk is armed with long, tough spines. Needle Palm is remarkable. Although happiest in moist to wet soils in part shade, it also flourishes in full sun in well-drained soils. Despite its cold-hardiness, Zone 6b is not conducive to robust growth of Needle Palm, as the season is short and the number of days at or above 80F (27C) is not great. However, with a well-chosen site Needle Palm may be somewhat content there. Needle Palm seems to be taken for granted, and has been endangered in the wild due to habitat destruction. It truly is a lovely palm in part shade. Z6b (See: The Curious Distribution).   SABAL Palms of the genus Sabal are primarily native to Central and North America and the Caribbean, with at least one species native to South America (Sabal gretheriae ). Within their native habitats they can be prolific. They are cherished for their beauty and drama - as well as for construction materials. In Panama, the famous Panama Hat is made from Sabal leaves. Throughout the natural range of Sabals their leaves have been used to thatch roofs, and their timber to construct piers and buildings. There are only a few extremely cold hardy palms able to withstand 0F (-18C), and two of them are Sabals = Sabal minor and Sabal 'Birmingham'. Much disagreement exists regarding Sabal species and varieties within species, especially for the diversity now lumped into Sabal minor . No doubt some of the names that appear below stand to be changed in the future. Hold me no grudge. Many Sabal species are best suited for Zone 8b and warmer. I will list them for completeness sake: Sabal bermudana , Sabal causiarum , Sabal gretheriae , Sabal guatemalensis , Sabal maritima , Sabal mauritiiformis , Sabal miamiensis , Sabal pumos , Sabal yapa . Sabal palmetto , NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh. Sabal bermudana Mercer Arboretum, Houston Sabal bermudana Native to the Island of Bermuda, where it grows from dry uplands right down among swamps. It is a magnificent Sabal with a wide trunk and prodigious green leaves. It strikes me that the leaves and trunk of Sabal bermudana resemble those of Sabal 'Birmingham', those of the latter being of a smaller scale. You may rightly consider this useless speculation. Sabal 'Birmingham' Birmingham Palmetto: A source for wonder. Sabal 'Birmingham's name derives from the fact that a gardener in Birmingham, Alabama grew this amazing palm. All seed stock originated from her plant. Her palm came as seed from California. No native source has been traced for this palm. Sabal 'Birmingham' slowly forms a trunk, in old age resembles a small version of Sabal bermudana , and is cold hardy to 0F (-18C). Sabal 'Birmingham'likes full sun or part shade in moist soil. It is not particular about soil, doing equally well in sandy-loam and amended clay. Seed (not fruit) 8-10mm. Z7b, 7a. Sabal palmetto (L), S. 'Birmingham' (R) at Gary's Nursery, New Bern, North Carolina Sabal 'Brazoria', Peckerwood Gardens Sabal 'Brazoria'aka xtexensis Brazoria Sabal: Unlike Sabal 'Birmingham', we know exactly where this Sabal comes from: Brazoria County, Texas. The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages the San Bernard Wildlife Reserve that is home to the largest remaining stand of these remarkable palms. The tallest specimen is almost 30 feet. It can take more than 10 years for a young plant to form a foot of trunk. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. You could be forgiven if you confused this palm with Sabal mexicana .Sabal 'Brazoria'is hardy to about 5F (-15C). Make sure your seed source is from Sabal 'Brazoria', because unscrupulous or ignorant persons have sold Sabal mexicana as Sabal xtexensis . This gave Sabal 'Brazoria' an undeserved bad rap as being rather cold tender. Sabal domingensis aka blackburniana aka umbraculifera Hispaniolan Palmetto: Native to the Island of Hispaniola, this Sabal has been reported cold hardy to 8F (-13C). Sabal domingensis prefers full sun and well-drained, sandy soil. Looks like a robust Sabal palmetto because its trunk may reach 60cm (24inches) without the boots! Its seed is 8-10mm. It's fruit is 12-14mm. Z8b, 8a. Sabal domingensis, Emerald Isle, NC Sabal etonia (yes, I need a better photo!) Sabal etonia Scrub Palm: Sabal etonia is native to the endangered Florida Scrub plant community in well-drained sandy soils under the hot, baking sun of Florida's peninsula. Sabal etonia does not normally form a trunk, although specimens with several feet of upright trunk are known. Resembles a miniature, trunk-less Sabal palmetto . Seed (not fruit) 7-10mm. Z8a, 7b. Sabal 'Louisiana Louisiana Palmetto: The native distribution of Sabal 'Louisiana' appears to coincide with that of Sabal minor, except that Louisiana Palmetto keeps near the coast. Presently recognized as a trunk-forming variation of Sabal minor found in and around Louisiana, though definition needs some changing. Louisiana Palmetto is nonetheless distinctive. Typically it has bluish leaves that are larger and more numerous than a similar aged specimen of Sabal minor , and Louisiana Palmetto slowly forms an aerial trunk. It is not as cold hardy as Sabal minor and experiences leaf damage near 5F (-15C). Louisiana Palmetto prefers part shade in moist to wet soil, but specimens in full sun can be stunning. Seed (not fruit) 4-7mm. Z7a. Sabal 'Louisiana', Mercer Arboretum, Houston Sabal mexicana Mercer Arboretum Sabal mexicana Mexico Palmetto: Native to Texas, but primarily a palm of Mexico and Nicaragua, Sabal mexicana is a robust, tall, and impressive palm. The trunk retains the boots of dead leaves for a long time, giving it a stout and imposing appearance. Sabal mexicana prefers full sun in a well-drained but moist soil. Expect leaf damage to begin about 14F (-10C). Seed (not fruit) is 9-13mm. This palm likes moisture, and grows mighty wide and tall when well provided. Z8b, 8a Sabal minor Dwarf Palmetto: Native to all coastal states from Texas east to North Carolina, and inland to southeast Oklahoma, Dwarf Palmetto is absolutely the cold hardiest dwarf palm in the world. John Fairey, of Peckerwood Gardens, Hempstead, Texas, has discovered Sabal minor way down in Mexico. This palm knows no bounds! Sabal minor , Mercer Arboretum, Houston, Texas Sabal minor Plant Delights, Raleigh, NC It has survived 24F (-31C) with no leaf damage at 4F (-20C). Because Dwarf Palmetto hides its trunk underground, it is protected from the worst of the cold. Dwarf Palmetto prefers part shade in moist to wet soil, with little regard as to sand or clay content. It can also be grown in full sun. It's one tough (but pretty) cookie. Like the very cold hardy Needle Palm, Dwarf Palmetto is neglected by the horticultural world. It is native, dramatic in large sweeps of the landscape or as a solitary specimen, and is easy to care for, so why isn't it as well known and as sought after as Phlox or ferns? (See: The Curious Distribution). There are wild populations (subspecies?) of distinct morphology, from true dwarfs to true giants. An extremely cold-hardy form is from McCurtain County, Oklahoma (this is the one that survived 24F (-31C)). A giant form up to nine-feet tall, occurs from Morehead City, North Carolina along the coast right up to Virginia. Seed 4-7mm. Hardy as a rock in Z7a, hardy in 6b, possibly colder. Sabal palmetto Palmetto/Cabbage Palm: Palmetto graces the coasts in its native range from North Carolina, south to Florida, east to the Bahama Islands, and west to Texas. Although in the USA no other trunk-forming palm naturally occurs farther north than Palmetto (Bald Head Island, NC), it experiences leaf damage around 8 to 10F (-13 to 12C). Individuals have survived a brutal and crippling 4F (-20C), but they are the great exception. Palmetto prefers full sun in well-drained soil. Large specimens may be purchased as hurricane cut having a small root ball and an even smaller crown denuded of leaves. These should be planted in summer when the soil is warm in order to encourage strong root growth. Such specimens must be regularly watered and fertilized during the growing seasons and very well protected during winters for their first three years. It can be difficult to get Palmetto to grow well inland away from the coast. Called the Cabbage Palm because people once ate the leafy "cabbage" where from the leaves originate, which killed the tree. Best in Zone 8b and warmer, but can be managed as far north as 7b if protected from severe winters. Seed (not fruit) is 5-9mm. (See: The Curious Distribution) Sabal palmetto , Gary's Nursery, New Bern, NC Sabal 'Lynn Lowery' Peckerwood Gardens Sabal rosei Llanos Palmetto: Native to western Mexico in subtropical deciduous forests and plains, Sabal rosei has the appearance of a slim-trunked Sabal mexicana . Well-drained soil and full sun. Seed (not fruit) 10-15mm. Z8b, 8a Sabal 'Tamaulipas'Tamaulipas Dwarf Palmetto: An arresting palm from the Mexico's State of Tamaulipas. Sabal 'Tamaulipas' is unique (though people keep trying to lump it into Sabal minor ). It forms an underground trunk upon which it slowly advances from hither to thither. Many of the leaves have an extremely skewed hastula, sometimes seen in Sabal etonia . Sabal 'Tamaulipas' has large seed (10-13mm), and its leaves can be enormous, especially in part shade. Sabal 'Tamaulipas' is very cold hardy considering its land of origin, enduring 6F (-14C) with no leaf damage. Z7b, 7a. Discovered by Carl Schoenfeld. Sabal 'Tamaulipas' Peckerwood Gardens Sabal uresana Peckerwood Gardens, Hempstead Sabal uresana Sonoran Palmetto: A dramatic glaucus-leaved, cold hardy, trunk-forming palm. It is native to stream valleys of Mexico's Sonoran Desert. There is a comely silver-blue form available from Yucca Do Nursery. My small specimen endured 9F (-13C) with no leaf damage, so 6F (-14C) would not surprise me. Sabal uresana prefers moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Greener-leaved forms may be hardier to cold. They also seem to grow faster. Seed (not fruit) 10-14mm. 8a, 7b. Serenoa repens Saw Palmetto: Native to open forests and coastal dunes in Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia, Saw Palmetto is aptly named for the teeth on its leaf petioles. The fruit is extensively collected for an extract used to treat enlarged prostrate in men. Serenoa repens is a distinctive palm for the landscape. Some specimens produce an aerial trunk to 20 feet. The leaves are typically a yellowish green, but spectacularly white populations are known. Likes well-drained soil with a moist subsoil. In Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Florida, plants practically crawl into the water, making beautiful reflections. The most inland, and cold hardiest population is a green form from Emanuel, Georgia. Don't be fooled. When this palm is happy, it spreads wider and wider, which is nice if you have the room, but problematic when you don't. Oh well, not to worry. When cut back, it can re-sprout from its large roots. Z8a, possibly 7b. Serenoa repens Peckerwood Gardens   TRACHYCARPUS (Windmill Palms) Perhaps the most popular cold hardy trunk forming palms in the world, and deservedly so. Windmill Palms are native to moist temperate forest climates in the orient, principally India and China, where they prefer well-drained soil in part or full sun. Nearly all rapidly form a sturdy, upright trunk. A foot of trunk growth per year is possible. Highly sought after and subject to earnest discussion among palm enthusiasts, Windmill Palms are the ambassadors of the Cold Hardy Palm world. Trachycarpus fortunei Author's Garden Trachycarpus fortunei Plant Delight's Dichotomous Key to Trachycarpus 1A. Vertical, obvious trunk...go to.2 1B. No - or very small trunk T. nanus 2A. Trunk hairy; 48 (+ -) pinnae per leaf; seed kidney-shaped;...7 2B. Bare trunk below leaves (seed either kidney or coffee-bean shape....3 3A. 60 (+ -) pinnae per leaf4 3B. Perhaps 48 (+ -) pinnae per leaf; Back of leaves white or whitish; seed kidney-shaped. T. princeps 4A. Kidney-shaped seed5 4B. Seed coffee bean shape...6 5A. Inflorescence nearly horizontal; Underside of leaves blue-gray. T. oreophilus 5B. Inflorescence typical, sagging. Undersides of leaves green to white. T. 'Naga Hills' syn. 'Manipur' 6A. Petioles broad, almost 2-inches T. latisectus 6B Petioles narrow - T. martianus 7A. Leaves stiff, jaunty. T. wagnerianus & T. 'Bulgaria' 7B. Leaves normal - T. fortunei and T. takil Trachycarpus 'Bulgaria' Bulgarian Windmill Palm: Not native to Bulgaria, but worthy of recognition. Fifty-year-old specimens in Plovdiv, Bulgaria have withstood numerous exposures to temperatures below 0F (-18C). Seedlings of these palms are highly sought after for good reason. Trachycarpus 'Bulgaria'has smaller leaves and a tighter appearance than T. fortunei . Z7b, 7a. We can thank Kiril Donov for tending to the parent palms, and making this selection widely available to the world. Trachycarpus fortunei , Pullen Park, Raleigh, NC Trachycarpus fortunei Windmill Palm: An excellent and impressive cold hardy palm with many forms recognized by palm enthusiasts, or at least politely argued about (T . 'Bulgaria', T . 'Taylor form', T . 'Takil', T . 'Darjeeling'). Old specimens in North Carolina have survived several brutal winters where temperatures dipped to 0F (-18C). No lightweight when it comes to cold hardiness, and worthy of a place in any garden. 'Taylor form' has very droopy leaf-tips and was selected from plants at a Florida nursery over 50 years ago by Mr. Taylor of Raleigh, North Carolina. 'Darjeeling' is from Darjeeling, India. Both are forms of the species. Z7b, 7a Trachycarpus latisectus Windamere Palm: Trachycarpus latisectus comes from the Sikkim Himalayas of India and was originally known as T. sikkimensis . The name was changed to latisectus in reference to the wide pinnae (2-inches across) of the leaves. T. latisectus naturally sheds its dead leaves, leaving a bare trunk, a trait shared by a few other windmill palms that need a more subtropical climate. Seeds are coffee bean shaped. T. latisectus has not so far proved as cold hardy as hoped. Z8b, 8a. Trachycarpus fortunei 'Taylor Form' Trachycarpus martianus Himalayan Windmill Palm: Much like T. latisectus in appearance (bare trunk & coffee bean shaped seeds) and cold hardiness, except that T. martianus has narrower pinnae on its leaves. Z8b, 8a Trachycarpus 'Naga Hills'syn T. 'Manipur'. From Manipur, India, T. 'Naga Hills' is like T. oreophilus , but has up to 70 pinnae per leaf. New to horticulture. Probably Z8b, 8a. Trachycarpus nanus Dwarf Windmill Palm: Native to China's Yunnan Province. A Windmill palm with no or little trunk. Kidney-shaped seed held on vertical infructescence. Z8b, 8a. Trachycarpus oreophilus Thai Mountain Windmill Palm: Another bare-trunked windmill palm, but the leaves of T. oreophilus have 60 pinnae, making them large and very round. Seeds are kidney-shaped. Z8b, 8a. Trachycarpus princeps Stone Gate Windmill Palm: Distinguished from T. martianus and T. oreophilus by the very white backside of its leaves, T. princeps is another windmill palm suitable for warm temperate and cool subtropical climates. Z8b, 8a. Trachycarpus takil Kumoan Windmill. From the Himalayas near Kumoan, India, T. takil is about as cold hardy as T. fortunei . Genetic studies refute the validity of T. takil as a separate species. While the morphological characteristics of T. takil can be found in the variable populations of T. fortunei , it is worth recognizing T. takil as a distinctive palm. We do, after-all, know exactly where it comes from. There's room and need for more study. Z7b, 7a Trachycarpus wagnerianus No one is sure where this wonderful windmill palm originated, but it was probably a form of Trachycarpus fortunei selected and bred long ago in Japan. Why then is it called wagnerianus ? Windmill palms keep you scratching your head. Known only from cultivation, T. wagnerianus is differentiated from other windmill palms by its smaller, stiffer leaves and tighter appearance. Whatever the case, T. wagnerianus is thought to be cold hardier than T. fortunei , though it is hard to believe that it could be cold hardier than T . 'Bulgaria'. Z7b, 7a Trithrinax brasiliensis Bamboo Farm, Savannah Trithrinax brasiliensis Brazil Needle Palm: Not to be confused with Needle Palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix ) which has needles only on its trunk, Brazil Needle Palm gets its name from the pointy tips of its leaves. It may stab the fool out of you before you get a look at its spiny trunk, so plant it where you and others are likely to see it but unlikely to have a close encounter. Prefers well-drained soils in a rainforest climate. Tolerates cold to about 20F (-7C). Z9a, 8b Trithrinax campestris Blue Needle Palm: Blue-gray, very stiff leaves, and even more likely to sharply get your attention. It is native to arid regions of Argentina and Uruguay and prefers well-drained soils in full sun in a Mediterranean climate. It is cold hardy to about 13F (-11C) in dry cold, but this is only a guess. More test plantings are needed. Z8b, 8a Washingtonia filifera California Fan Palm: Native to moist microclimates in arid regions of California, Arizona, and Baja California. Does well in full sun or part shade in well-drained but moist soils. An imposing palm because of its mature size, and a bit of hazard when cleaning up its leaves because they are heavily armed with large, jagged teeth (Washingtonia s are the sawfish of the palm world). Stately as a solitary specimen, but more so when it occurs as a grove of palms or a colonnade. Don't let the small seed size fool you. The seeds germinate quickly and the seedlings grow very rapidly. It may be impossible to over-pot a seedling. The bigger the pot, the faster they grow when provided warmth and good light. Leaf damage begins around 14F (-10C). Large specimens in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, have survived exposure to 0F (-18C). Z8b, 8a Washingtonia filifera Bamboo Farm, Savannah Washingtonia, Galveston, Texas Washingtonia filifera--x-robusta aka Washingtonia filibusta .The common hybrid between the two species. So common, in fact, that it is difficult to find a pure specimen in cities and suburbs, or in trade. Washingtonia robusta Mexican Fan Palm: Native to Mexico and Baja California in the same sort of habitats as W. filifera . Mexican Fan Palm also has large teeth on the stems of its leaves, but has a thinner and taller trunk, few leaf filaments, and darker green rounder leaves. As would be expected from its more southerly distribution, W. robusta is less cold hardy than its relative, and has leaf damage near 20F (-7C). Z9a, 8b Washingtonia robusta Bamboo Farm, Savannah Palm Morphology Boot: The leaf-base attachment to the trunk. Some palms shed the boot with the leaf. Some retain the boot for long periods, only shedding the oldest ones. Costapalmate: A leaf where the hastula is elongate and pointy. Hastula: Found in palmate and costapalmate leaves. The upper leaf-end of the stem where the leaf and pinnae are attached (do not confuse with rachis!). Inflorescence: The branched stem that bears the palm flowers, and later its fruit. May be sparse - having a few short branchlets at long intervals, or bushy having a congestion of branchlets. Palmate: A leaf where the hastula is round or ovoid, not elongate and not extending along the leaf midrib; Hastula resembles an arm that ends in a fist. Petiole: The woody extension that attaches the leaf to the trunk. Pinnae: Divisions of the leaf found along the midrib in pinnate leaves or as spread fingers in palmate and costapalmate leaves. Pinnate: The leaf stem continues as the midrib and pinnae are attached to the midrib like filaments of a feather to the feather shaft. Leaf resembles a fern or cicad leaf (see Butia & Phoenix palms) Rachis: The lower part of the stem that extends along the underside of the leaf along its midrib (Not to be confused with the hastula!). Trunk: The aerial or underground body that bears the leaves. When visible above ground (aerial), the palm is said to have a trunk. Very Costapalmate: Hastula resembles a praying hand with a long middle finger.   Palmate hastula. Costapalmate hastula. Very costapalmate hastula.   Rachis on a very costapalmate leaf. Synonyms Valid name, retired name. Retired name, valid name. Acoelorraphe pimo => Brahea pimo Acoelorraphe salvadorensis => Brahea s. Brahea aculeata Z10 Synonyms -         Erythea aculeate Brahea armata Z9 Synonyms -         Erythea armata -         Glaucothea armata Brahea bella => B. berlandieri Brahea berlandieri Z8 Synonyms -         Brahea bella Brahea brandegeei Z9 Synonyms -         Erythea brandegeei -         Erythea loretensis Brahea clara Z9 Brahea conzattii Z8 Brahea decumbens Z8 Brahea dulcis Z8 Synonyms -         Corypha dulcis Brahea edulis Z9 Synonyms -         Erythea edulis Brahea elegans Z9 Synonyms -         Erythea elegans Brahea filamentosa => Washingtonia filifera Brahea filifera => Washingtonia filifera Brahea minima => Sabal minor Brahea moorei Z8 Brahea nitida Z9 Synonyms -         Brahea prominens Brahea pimo Z9 Synonyms -         Acoelorraphe pimo -         Erythea pimo Brahea prominens => Brahea nitida Brahea psilocalyx ? Synonyms -         Paurotis psilocalyx Brahea roezlei (=> B. armata) Synonym -         Erythea roezlei Brahea salvadorensis Z9 Synonyms -         Acoelorraphe salvadorensis -         Erythea salvadorensis Brahea serrulata => Serenoa repens Butia amadelpha => B. paraguayensis Butia archeri Z8 Butia bonnettii => B. capitata Butia campicola Z8 Synonyms -         Syagrus campicola Butia capitata Z8 Synonyms: -         Butia bonnettii -         B. c. deliciosa -         B. c. elegantissima -         B. c. lilaceiflora -         B. c. nehrlingiana -         B. c. odorata -         B. c. pulposa -         B. c. pygmaea -         B. c. subglobosa -         B. c. virescens -         B. leiospatha -         B. nerhlingiana -         Cocos bonnettii -         Cocos capitata -         Cocos odorata -         Cocos pulposa -         Syagrus capitata Butia deliciosa => B. capitata Butia dyerana => B. paraguayensis Butia elegantissima => B. capitata e. Butia eriospatha Z8 Synonyms -         Cocos eriospatha -         Syagrus eriospatha Butia leiospatha => B. capitata l. Butia lilaceiflora => B. capitata l. Butia nerhlingiana => B. capitata n. Butia odorata => B. capitata o. Butia paraguayensis Z8 Synonyms -         B. amadelpha -         B. dyerana -         B. poni -         B. wildemaniana -         B. yatay paraguayensis -         Cocos paraguayensis -         Syagrus paraguayensis Butia poni => B. paraguayensis Butia pulposa => B. capitata Butia pungens => B. paraguayensis Butia subglobosa => B. capitata Butia virescens => B. capitata Butia wildemaniana => B. paraguayensis Butia yatay Z8 Synonyms -         Cocos yatay -         Syagrus dyerana -         Syagrus yatay Chamaerops aucalis => Sabal minor Chamaerops excelsus => Trachycarpus fortunei Chamaerops fortunei => Trachycarpus f. Chamaerops humilis Z8 Chamaerops humilis cerifera Z8 Chamaerops hystrix => Rhapidophyllum hystrix Chamaerops louisiana => Sabal minor Chamaerops martianus => Trachycarpus martianus Chamaerops ritchiana => Nannorrhops r. Chamaerops sabaloides => Sabal minor Chamaerops serrulata => Serenoa repens Cocos bonnettii => Butia capitata Cocos capitata => Butia capitata Cocos odorata => Butia capitata Cocos eriospatha => Butia eriospatha Cocos paraguayensis => Butia p. Cocos pulposa => Butia capitata Cocos yatay => Butia yatay Copernecia maritime => Sabal maritima Corypha dulcis => Brahea dulcis Corypha maritima => Sabal maritima Corypha minor => Sabal minor Corypha palmetto => Sabal palmetto Corypha pumila => Sabal minor Corypha pumos => Sabal pumos Corypha repens => Serenoa repens Corypha umbraculifera => Sabal blackburniana Chryosophila nana => Trithrinax aculeata Elate sylvestris => Phoenix sylvestris Erythea armata => Brahea armata Erythea brandegeei => Brahea b. Erythea edulis => Brahea edulis Erythea elegans => Brahea elegans Erythea loretensis => Brahea brandeegei Erythea pimo => Brahea pimo Erythea roezlei => Brahea roezlei Erythea salvadorensis => Brahea s. Glaucothea armata => Brahea armata Guihaia argyrata Z8 Synonyms -         Trachycarpus argyratus Inodes blackburniana => Sabal b. Inodes causarium => Sabal causarium Inodes exul => Sabal mexicana Inodes japa => Sabal yapa Inodes mexicana => Sabal mexicana Inodes neglecta => Sabal domingensis Inodes palmetto => Sabal palmetto Inodes rosei => Sabal rosei Inodes schwarzii => Sabal palmetto Inodes texana => Sabal mexicana Inodes uresana => Sabal uresana Jubaea chilensis Z9 Nannorrhops ritchiana Z8 Synonyms -         Chamaerops ritchiana Neowashingtonia filifera => Washing- tonia filifera Neowashingtronia robusta => Washing- tonia robusta Paurotis psilocalyx => Brahea psilocalyx Phoenix abyssinica => P. reclinata Phoenix acaulis Z9 Phoenix andamanensis Z9 Phoenix caespitosa Z9 Phoenix canariensis Z9 Phoenix dactylifera Z9 Phoenix farinifera => P. pusilla Phoenix hanceana => P. loureiroi loureiroi Phoenix humilis robusta => P. loureiroi var. humilis Phoenix leonensis => P. reclinata Phoenix loureiroi Z9 Phoenix loureiroihumilis Z9 Syns. -         P. humilis -         P. humilis robusta -         P. ouseleyana -         P. robusta Phoenix loureiroiloureiroi   Z9 Syns. -         P. hanceana Phoenix ouseleyana => P. loureiroi humilis Phoenix paludosa Z9 Phoenix pumila => P. reclinata Phoenix pusilla Z9 Synonyms -         P. farinifera -         P. zeylanica Phoenix reclinata Z9 Synonyms -         P. abyssinica -         P. leonensis -         P. spinosa Phoenix robusta => P. loureiroi humilis Phoenix roebelenii Z9 Phoenix rupicola Z9 Phoenix spinosa => P. reclinata Phoenix sylvestris Z9 Synonyms -         Elate sylvestris Phoenix theoprastii Z9 Phoenix zeylanica => P. pusilla Pritchardia filamentosa => Washingtonia filifera Pritchardia filifera => Washingtonia f. Rhapidophyllum hystrix Z7 Synonyms -         Chamaerops hystrix Rhapis excelsa Z9 Synonyms -         Trachycarpus excelsa Rhapis acaulis => Sabal minor Rhapis arundinacea => Sabal minor Sabal adansonii => S. minor Sabal adiantinum => Sabal minor Sabal allenii => S. mauritiiformis Sabal bahamensis => Sabal palmetto Sabal beccariana => Sabal bermudana Sabal bermudana Z9 Synonyms -         S. beccariana -         S. princeps Sabal blackburnia => S. blackburniana Sabal blackburniana (ambiguous) Syn. -         Corypha umbraculifera -         Inodes blackburnia -         Sabal blackburnia -         Sabal umbraculifera Sabal Birmingham'=> uncertain Z7 Sabal causarium Z9 Synonyms -         Inodes causarium -         Inodes glauca -         Sabal haitensis -         Sabal questeliana Sabal dealbata => Serenoa repens Sabal deeringiana => S. minor Sabal domingensis Z8 Synonyms -         Inodes neglecta -         Sabal neglecta Sabal dugesii => S. pumos Sabal etonia Z8 Synonyms -         Sabal adansonii megacarpa -         Sabal megacarpa Sabal exul => S. mexicana Sabal florida => S. maritima Sabal glabra => S. minor Sabal glaucescens => S. mauritiiformis Sabal gretheriae Z9 Sabal guatemalensis Z9 Sabal haitensis => S. causarium Sabal jamaicensis => S. maritima Sabal jamesiana => S. palmetto Sabal japa => Sabal yapa Sabal javanica => S. yapa Sabal 'Louisiana'=> S. minor Sabal maritima Z8 Synonyms -         Copernecia maritima -         Corypha maritima -         S. florida -         S. jamaicensis Sabal mauritiiformis Z8 Synonyms -         Sabal allenii -         Sabal glaucescens -         Sabal morrisiana -         Sabal nematoclada -         Trithrinax mauritiiformis Sabal mayarum => S. yapa Sabal megacarpa => Sabal minor Sabal mexicana Z8 Synonyms -         Inodes exul -         Inodes mexicana -         Inodes texana -         Sabal texana Sabal miamiensis Z9 Sabal minima => Serenoa repens Sabal minor Z7 Synonyms -         Brahea minima -         Chamaerops aucalis -         Chamaerops louisiana -         Chamaerops sabaloides -         Corypha minor -         Corypha pumila -         Rhapis arundinacea -         Rhapis acaulis -         Sabal adansonii -         Sabal adiantinum -         Sabal deeringiana -         Sabal glabra -         Sabal Louisiana -         Sabal minima -         Sabal pumila Sabal morrisiana => S. mauritiiformis Sabal neglecta => S. domingensis Sabal nematoclada => S. mauritiiformis Sabal palmetto Z8 Synonyms -         Corypha palmetto -         Inodes palmetto -         Inodes schwarzii -         Sabal bahamensis -         Sabal jamesiana -         Sabal parviflora -         Sabal viatoris Sabal parviflora => Sabal palmetto Sabal peregrina => S. yapa Sabal princeps => Sabal bermudana Sabal pumos Z8 Synonyms -         Corypha pumos -         Sabal dugesii Sabal rosei Z8 Synonyms -         Inodes rosei -         Sabal uresanaroseana Sabal serrulata => Serenoa repens Sabal texana => S. mexicana Sabal umbraculifera => S. domingensis Sabal uresana Z7 Synonyms -         Inodes uresana Sabal viatoris => S. palmetto Sabal yapa Z8 Synonyms -         Inodes japa -         Sabal japa -         Sabal javanica -         Sabal mayarum -         Sabal perigrina -         Sabal yucatanica Sabal yucatanica => S. yapa Serenoa repens Z8 Synonyms -         Brahea serrulata -         Chamaerops serrulata -         Corypha repens -         Sabal dealbata -         Sabal serrulata -         Serenoa serrulata Syagrus campicola => Butia campicola Syagrus capitata => Butia capitataSyagrus dyerna => Butia yatay Syagrus eriospatha => Butia eriospatha Syagrus paraguayensis => Butia p. Syagrus yatay => Butia yatay Trachycarpus argyratus => Guihaia a. Trachycarpus excelsa => Rhapis excelsa Trachycarpus fortunei Z7b Synonyms -         Chamaerops excelsus -         Chamaerops fortunei Trachycarpus geminisectus Z9 Trachycarpus khasianus => T. martianus Trachycarpus latisectus Z8 Trachycarpus martianus Z8 Synonyms -         Chamaerops martianus -         Trachycarpus khasianus Trachycarpus nanus, aka T. nana Z8 Trachycarpus oreophilus Z8 Trachycarpus princeps Z8 Trachycarpus takil Z7b Trachycarpus wagnerianus Z7b Trithrinax acanthocoma Z8 Trithrinax aculeata Z8 Synonyms -         Chryosophila nana Trithrinax biflabellata Trithrinax brasiliensis Trithrinax campestris Trithrinax mauritiiformis => Sabal m. Trithrinax schizophylla Z8 Washingtonia filamentosa => W. filifera Washingtonia filifera Z8 Synonyms -         Brahea filamentosa -         Brahea filifera -         Neowashingtonia filifera -         Pritchardia filamentosa -         Pritchardia filifera -         Washingtonia filamentosa Washingtonia robusta Z9 Synonyms -         Neowashingtonia robusta -         Washingtonia sonorae Washingtonia sonorae => W. robusta