Rhapidophyllum hystrix (Pursh) H. Wendl. & Drude

Needle Palm

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Needle Palm is a native perennial member of the Palm family (Arecaceae). It can be found in the southern half of Alabama. Needle Palm occurs on high floodplains and terraces along rivers and streams, on moist hardwood slopes, in ravines, and around caves. Needle Palm is a slow growing species with a short trunk. The trunk may reach a height of 6-8 feet in old individuals. Several individuals often grow from a single trunk. The trunk in covered in needle-like spines that originate between the leaves. The spines are up to 10 inches in length with a sharp tip. The spines protect the new leaves and flowers. Needle Palm is a “fan palm” with broad leaves on a long petiole that are up to six feet long. The leaves are divided into segments of various widths. Leaves are deep green above and silvery white below. The leaves are thick and evergreen, and persist for 2-3 years or longer. Needle Palm is dioecious (with separate male and female plants). The flowers are produced in a short inflorescence. A spathe (bract) encloses the developing inflorescence. The inflorescence is very short and is often hidden by fallen leaves and old fronds. The flowers are yellowish green, sometimes tinged with purple. The fruit is a brown or reddish drupe with a wooly outer covering. Needle Palm is listed as an S2/S3 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 100 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Needle Palm is a very cold hard species, and many thousands of plants were dug from Alabama and shipped north as “parlor palms”. Needle Palm is readily available in the nursery trade. It prefers moist, well-draining soils that are rich in organic matter. It will grow best in partial shade, but will adapt to

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Native FACW (NWPL) S2S3 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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