ExpandRead about Rhapidophyllum in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
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Rhapidophyllum (Greek, probably means Rhapis-leaved). Palmaceae. Blue
Palmetto. Needle Palm. One species ranging from S. C. to Fla. It is a
dwarf fan palm with erect or creeping trunk 2-3 ft. long, and
long-stalked nearly round deeply and unequally cleft lvs. with about 15
segms.: spadices short-peduncled: spathes 2-5, entire, tubular,
compressed, bifid, woolly: fls. minute, orange: fr. small, ovoid or
obovate, woolly. The genus is closely allied to Chamaerops and is
distinguished by having the albumen not ruminate and by the bracts at
the base of the branches of the spadix being few or none. The plant is
said to produce suckers freely, like Rhapis. Cult, as in Rhapis.
Rhapidophyllum, hystrix, the blue palmetto or needle palmetto, is the
most beautiful and elegant of our native dwarf palms. It is very local
in its distribution, being found in rich low soil both in Georgia and
Florida, but it is everywhere rather rare. Its most striking
characteristics are the long sharp black spines projecting in every
direction from the dark fibers which cover the trunk. These spines,
which are often a foot long, seem to protect the inflorescence, which
before opening resembles a large white egg and which is imbedded among
the spines. This palm bears staminate and pistillate flowers on
separate plants. The woolly clusters of fruit or seeds are borne on
short stems also surrounded by the sharp spines. This palmetto is
easily transplanted. The leaves are dark shiny green, relieved by a
pale silvery gray on the under surface. It is a very beautiful plant,
and groups of it are striking. The stem is 2 to 3 feet high and the
leaves rise to a height of 3 to 4 feet. (H. Nehrling.)
The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.
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