View source for Rhapidophyllum hystrix

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Arecaceae
|genus=Rhapidophyllum
|species=hystrix
|common_name=Needle Palm 
|habit=palm-cycad
|Min ht box=4
|Min ht metric=ft
|Max ht box=6
|Max ht metric=ft
|lifespan=perennial
|Temp Metric=°F
|min_zone=6.5
|max_zone=10.5
|image=Rhapidophyllum Strongbad1982.jpg
|image_width=220
}}
'''''Rhapidophyllum hystrix''''' ('''Needle Palm''') is a [[Arecaceae|palm]], the sole member of the genus '''''Rhapidophyllum'''''. It is native to the [[southeastern United States]], from central [[Florida]] to [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Mississippi]], [[South Carolina]] and [[Alabama]]. It is one of the most [[hardy palms|cold-hardy palms]] in the world.

The Needle Palm assumes a shrublike clumping form with several stems growing from a single base, the stems growing very slowly and tightly together, eventually forming a dense base {{convert|1|-|1.2|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, with numerous sharp needle-like spines produced between the leaves; these are {{convert|10|-|25|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and protect the stem growing point from browsing animals. The whole plant can reach {{convert|2|-|3|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall to the top of the erect central leaves. It is a [[List of Arecaceae genera#Tribe Corypheae|fan palm]] (Arecaceae tribe Corypheae), with the [[leaf|leaves]] with a long [[Petiole (botany)|petiole]] terminating in a rounded fan of 8–16 leaflets; each leaf is up to {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} long, with the leaflets up to {{convert|60|-|80|cm|in|abbr=on}} long. The [[flower]]s are borne in dense, short clusters at the top of the stems; it is usually [[plant sexuality|dioecious]] with male and female flowers on separate plants. The [[fruit]] is a brown [[drupe]] about {{convert|2|cm|in|abbr=on}} long.

The scientific name ''Rhapidophyllum'' means "needle-leaf", while ''[[hystrix]]'' is from the scientific name of a genus of [[porcupine]]s. The English name likewise refers to the needle-like spines produced at the petiole bases; for similar reasons, it is also occasionally called "porcupine palm".

The Needle Palm is very popular among palm enthusiasts in temperate climates for its extraordinary ability to tolerate cold. Some reports have claimed survival of temperatures as low as &minus;29°C, although more realistic estimates are approximately &minus;15° to &minus;21°C. A large, well-established specimen has been growing without protection at the [[United States National Arboretum]] in [[Washington, D. C.]] since the 1960s, a specimen at the [[Brooklyn Botanic Gardens]] has been flourishing for years, and there are several specimens thriving in the [[Greater Cincinnati]] area where extensive published research has been led by [[Miami University]], Ohio. However, unlike the related ''[[Trachycarpus]]'' species, Needle Palms need hot, humid summer temperatures to thrive and the species does not grow well in the [[Pacific Northwest]]. It is, however, becoming one of the most popular palms for planting in the [[Chesapeake Bay]] area of [[Maryland]] and [[Virginia]], as well as the [[Outer Banks]] of [[North Carolina]].

It grows far north as coastal parts of [[Tri-State Region|the New York area]] ''without'' protection, specifically [[Connecticut]] (see range map), and somewhat farther north ([[New England]]) ''with'' protection.

The Needle Palm is considered to be commercially exploited and therefore [[threatened species|threatened]]. When purchasing this palm, it is wise to purchase it only from a reputable dealer, as some unscrupulous dealers harvest them directly from the wild.

{{Inc|
Rhapidophyllum hystrix, H. Wendl. & Drude (Chamaerops hystrix, Fraser).  St. 2-3 ft., erect or creeping, proliferous, clothed with the fibrous remains of lf.-sheaths intermingled with long, erect 
spines: lvs. 3—4 ft., somewhat glaucous especially beneath, circular in outline, with numerous 2-4- toothed segms.; petiole triangular, rough on the margins: sheaths of oblique fibers interwoven with numerous strong, erect spines: spadix 6-12 in. long, short- peduncled: petals ovate, drupe 3/4-l in. long. S. C. to Fla. 
}}

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