James Burghardt
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
COCCOTHRINAX borhidiana
Plant Common Name
Borhidis Guano Palm, Guano
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
The tight clusters of stiff, bluish green leaves on the Borhidis guano palm are most beautiful when viewed from above. For that reason alone, it's worthwhile acquiring young plants to enjoy for years in the garden before the trunk elongates. This evergreen palm is native only to the coasts of Cuba, where it is now endangered. It is very slow-growing, and becomes a short single-trunk palm over several decades. Old, dead leaves in the canopy persist, creating a brown petticoat.
The leaves have very short petiole stems, causing the round leaves with stiff pointed segments to look like a yucca from a distance. When viewed from the side, the stiff leaves look like they are tiered in a whorl. Leaf upper sides are deep blue-green or green, with undersides a lighter shade with hints of gray. The summertime flower stalk juts up from the canopy and are filled with tiny ivory blossoms. After pollination, round purplish-black fruits develop.
Grow Borhidis guano palm in full to partial sun in any well-drained, non-clay soil. It is remarkably tolerant of heat, drought and salt spray. Alkaline soils also are not an issue for this palm. It works especially well as a container specimen when small, and then as a component to a mixed succulent or cacti garden or rockery. Plant it outdoors only in regions where frosts do not occur.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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Sunset Zone
H2, 13, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m
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Width
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Native To
Caribbean
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
Yes
