SCIENTIFIC NAME: Acanthophoenix rubra

COMMON NAME(S): Barbel Palm
SUB FAMILY: Arecoideae
TRIBE: Areceae
ORIGIN: Mascarene Islands
HARDINESS ZONES: 10A-11 (dead at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 45'
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Solitary with a spreading crown of 12-15 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Not known
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Moderate
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: High
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree
HUMAN HAZARDS: Leaf bases and inflorescences spiny
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: None

COMMENTS: Once common in the wild, but now rare due to use of the "cabbage" as food. Similar in appearance to several common genera but distinguished by the spiny leaf bases and flower stalks.