Silver Palm
Coccothrinax argentata
Plant Family: Palmae
Leaves: Palmate, to 1 m, divided for almost the entire length of the segments, petioles without spines, lustrous dark green above, distinctly silver beneath. The petiole, and its point of attachment with the leaf, is obviously yellow.
Bark: Light gray, fairly smooth, the rings are not obvious.
Flowers: Small, yellow, in upright clusters in spring to summer.
Fruits: Rounded, blue-black, to about 1 cm, in clusters, edible and sought by birds; reportedly made into a wine; seen summer to fall.
Habitat: Sandy coastal soils and pinelands, uncommon.
Growth Form: Small to medium-sized tree.
Key Feature: The lustrous dark green leaves that are distinctly silver beneath will separate Silver Palm from other palmate leaved species.
Comments: Silver Palm is listed as a threatened species in Florida, it can be seen on Big Pine Key and in Bahia Honda State Park, where there is a trail named after it.
