SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cryosophila stauracantha

COMMON NAME(S): Rootspine palm
SUB FAMILY: Coryphoideae
TRIBE: Corypheae
ORIGIN: Central America, Nicaragua to Panama
HARDINESS ZONES: 11 (10B in sheltered site), (only slight damage at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 30'
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Solitary with a crown of 10-15 upright leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Low
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Found on alkaline soils, but has a fairly wide tolerance
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen
HUMAN HAZARDS: Spines on trunk sharp enough to pierce skin
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: None

COMMENTS: Plants of lowland rainforests but with a reasonably wide tolerance of conditions under cultivation. The name Cryosophila stauracantha appears to have priority for this species, and is used here in place of the more familiar C. argentea.