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Native Plant Database

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Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Needle palm)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Pursh) H. Wendl. & Drude ex Drude

Needle palm, Blue palmetto

Arecaceae (Palm Family)

USDA Symbol: RHHY

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Needle palm is an armed shrub, rarely more than 6 ft. tall, with erect or spreading stems from a short trunk. The leaf sheaths have long, needle-like, stiff and sharp spines. The fruit, a red drupe, is preceded by a short, dense inflorescence.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Fruit:
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , MS , SC
Native Distribution: C. GA, s. to c. FL, AL & MS
Native Habitat: Swamps; wet to mesic woods & hammocks; dry rocks
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Various wet to dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Needle palm is slow growing and adaptable. It can be used as a ground cover or ornamental specimen, and has proven tolerant of parking lot conditions.

Propagation

Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS
Georgia Native Plant Society - Atlanta, GA

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rhapidophyllum hystrix in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rhapidophyllum hystrix in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-04-17
Research By: TWC Staff

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