Coccothrinax hioramii

Coccothrinax hioramii is a slender, single-stemmed fan palm endemic to the dry south-eastern corner of Cuba, around Guantánamo Bay, where it grows in coastal scrub, savanna and low hills. Its flat fans are cut into long, narrow, supple segments covered in fine hairs beneath, and it bears small dark purple to black fruits.

Listed as Endangered, it is a palm for collectors that copes with long dry spells and brief light frost.

At a glance

• Native range: south-eastern Cuba (Guantánamo)
• Mature size: 6–12 m
• Light: full sun
• Water: very drought tolerant
• Cold hardiness: brief drops to about −3.3 °C reported
• Indoors / outdoors: an outdoor palm for sunny, dry, frost-light gardens

Care

Plant it in a sunny, very well-drained position and water sparingly once established. It grows outdoors in southern Florida and suits similar warm, dry climates.

Why Palmpedia: Greenhouse-grown by us in Almeirim, Portugal, and supplied in 15 L to 35 L pots.