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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Needle Palm, Blue Palmetto

Scientific Name:

Rhapidophyllum hystrix

Genus:

Rhapidophyllum

Species Epithet:

hystrix

Common Name:

Needle Palm, Blue Palmetto

Plant Type

Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Arecaceae (Palm Family)

Native/Alien:

S.E. Native

Size:

6-12 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Brown

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist, Wet

Bloom Time:

April, May, June

Habitat Description:

Moist to wet soils of small blackwater stream swamps, especially where underlain with coquina limestone (“marl”), hydric hammocks and rich, wetland- upland transitions.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Evergreen

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

(*Key)

Global Rank:

G4 - Apparently Secure (*Key)

State Status:

(*Key)

Notes:

Is very cold hardy (-10*F). Fruits eaten by black bears. The leaf sheaths have long, needle-like, stiff and sharp spines. Inflorescence surrounded by 6-20 inch long needles.

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Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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