SCIENTIFIC NAME: Copernicia macroglossa

COMMON NAME(S): Cuban petticoat palm
SUB FAMILY: Coryphoideae
TRIBE: Corypheae
ORIGIN: Cuba
HARDINESS ZONES: 10B-11 (damaged but recovered at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 15'
GROWTH RATE: Slow
HABIT: Solitary; canopy of 12-15 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Moderate
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: High
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: High
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Low
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree
HUMAN HAZARDS: Spiny
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: None

COMMENTS: The trunk of Cuban petticoat palm, when fully 'shagged' with dead leaves, appears deceptively massive; below the thatch of its petticoat, the actual trunk is no more than 8" thick. The leaves of this species lack a well-developed leaf stem (petiole), but are broader and with a less conspicuous leaf stem extension into the blade. The hastula is quite long. Typically, the canopy of Cuban petticoat palm consists of about a dozen erect green leaves. The leaves droop as they age and will persist for many years unless removed.