Scientific name: Coccothrinax argentea

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern

GPS location: 17° 42′ 54.13″ N, 64° 49′ 47.13″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Silver Thatch Palm (Coccothrinax argentea)

Family: Arecaceae (Palm family)
Common Name: Silver Palm, Puerto Rican Silver Palm
Habitat: Native to the dry forests and coastal areas of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Found in rocky, well-drained soils and often in regions with low rainfall.

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Phenological Markers:

• Flowering Period:
  Flowering typically occurs from late spring to early summer (May to June). The flowers are small, white, and grouped in clusters that emerge from the base of the leaf stalks.
• Fruiting Period:
  Fruits usually ripen late summer to early fall (August to October). The fruit is a small, round drupe, typically dark purple when mature.
• Leaf Fall:
  Evergreen, with leaves shedding only when older leaves die off. New leaves emerge regularly, keeping the palm lush and full year-round.
• Budding Period:
  New fronds begin to appear in early spring (March to April) after the flowering season.

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Key Features:

• Leaves: Fan-shaped, silvery on the underside, giving the palm its characteristic “silver” appearance. The leaves are palmate and can grow up to 1 meter in length.
• Flowers: Small, white, borne in dense clusters on long stems.
• Fruits: Small, round, and dark purple when ripe. The palm produces a high number of fruits per cluster.

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Additional Notes:

• Coccothrinax argentea is an iconic species in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, valued for its ornamental beauty due to its striking silver leaves.
• It is drought-tolerant and thrives in dry, rocky environments, often found along coastal areas.
• This palm is also significant for local wildlife, as it provides food for birds and other animals.

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