Old Man Palm (Coccothrinax crinita)

Rare & Unusual Tropical Trees & Plants, Flowering, Fruit, Native, Palm, Bamboo, Heliconia, Hummingbird, Butterfly

Old Man Palm (Coccothrinax crinita)

September 30, 2012 Palms and Cycads 0

The Old Man Palm is endemic to Cuba, but grows very well as an ornamental landscape palm in S. Florida.  It is a single trunk fan palm, with white-grey fibers covering the trunk.  These fibers emerge from the new fronds and hang down and surround the trunk, giving the appearance of a grey beard, which is why this palm gets its name.  Even the species name, ‘crinita’ is from the latin, meaning, ‘hairy’.    This palm is slow growing, but it can eventually obtain a height of 30′.  The trunk is only 3-8″ in diameter, but the beard surrounding the trunk, gives the illusion that the trunk is over 2′ in diameter.  The nursery currently has a large selection of these palms to choose from in 7gal. pots ranging in height from 12-15″ tall.

Coccothrinax crinita (Old Man Palm)
5′ Tall

Coccothrinax crinita (Old Man Palm)
12′ Tall

Coccothrinax crinita (Old Man Palm)
3′ Tall

Coccothrinax crinita (Old Man Palm)
12-15″ Tall in 7gal. Pots

Coccothrinax crinita (Old Man Palm)
12-15″ Tall in 7gal. Pots