This stately palm is the Puerto Rican Hat Palm, Sabal causiarum.

It is one of the largest members of the Sabal genus and can grow into a tall, impressive palm with a massive gray trunk. The trunk is unusually thick and smooth, especially on older specimens, giving the tree a strong, column-like appearance.

Its large fan-shaped leaves form a broad crown at the top. Each leaf is divided into many stiff segments, and together they create a dramatic silhouette against the sky.

The common name “Hat Palm” comes from the traditional use of its leaves for weaving hats and other useful items. The tough leaf fibers were also used for thatching, baskets, and cordage.

Small pale flowers appear on long branching stalks that extend beyond the leaves. These are followed by clusters of small dark fruits, which provide food for birds and other wildlife.

The Puerto Rican Hat Palm is native to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and nearby islands. It is well adapted to tropical heat, wind, drought, and coastal conditions, making it both a culturally important and remarkably resilient Caribbean palm.