Paurotis Palm, Silver Saw Palmetto

Scientific Name: Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Griseb. & H. Wendl.) H. Wendl. ex Becc.
Synonym: Acoelorrhaphe arborescens, Paurotis wrightii
Family: Arecaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 13,19-26
USDA: 10-11

Frost Tolerance: 20°F (-6°C)

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Florida to Central America

Growth Habits: Clumping palm tree, up to 15 feet tall (4.5 m) or more, up to 8 feet spread per stem (2.4 m), but spread with time through new stems; slender trunk, covered with brown fiber; persistent spiny leaf sheaths and petiole bases, on older plants, the trunk is sometimes bare; costapalmate leaves, green top, lighter silvery underside. 35 to 55 one-inch wide segments, 3 feet wide (90 cm); 3 feet long petioles (90 cm) with orange teeth on their edges.

Watering Needs: Ample to regular water

Propagation: Rapidly and easily by seeds

Blooming Habits:
Bisexual white flowers. Flower stalk coming from among the leaves, erect, longer than the leaves (5 feet long - 1.2 m). Tend to droop when the fruits ripen.

Fruiting Habits:
Brownish orange fruit, turning black when ripe, 0.2 to 0.4 inch in diameter (5-9 mm), round, one seeded.