Description
Trithrinax acanthocoma is a very attractive, medium sized, solitary palmate palm, with an unusual woven fibre wrapping the trunk, which includes the old spines. Palms growing in areas that are subject to fire and grazing tend to have bare trunks. Leaves are green with contrasting glaucous waxy backs, split around half way, the leaf tips being split into something resembling a snakes tongue with two shallow forks each tipped with a small spine. It grows large bunches of white/pale green oval fruits about 1.5cm long, the seeds being notably smaller and smoother than Trithrinax brasiliensis .
Trithrinax species are spread along vast subtropical zones of South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina. They have a preference to dry, open areas and they will tolerate cold winters for short periods.
Hardiness: Definitely hardier than T. campestris, however it needs to be planted in free draining, alkaline soil and it should tolerate -5 celsius for short periods. Winter protection would be strongly recommended at the lower temperatures.
