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Rhapidophyllum Hystrix ( rap - ih - doh - FIL - lum , HIS - triks ) is a bush - like evergreen repeated species from the Arecaceae or the palm family .
It is the only plant in the Raphidophyllum genus and is aboriginal to the coastal margins of the subtropical areas of the easterly Gulf and south Atlantic state of North America .
However , the plant has also been naturalized and is unremarkably found in many other parts of the southeasterly United States – from South Carolina , Florida , Georgia , Mississippi , and South Alabama .
It is also domesticate in many other areas of the country along both East and West Coast , including Long Island Sound , Seattle , and Washington DC .
The most distinguishing characteristic of Rhapidophyllum hystrix are their needle - like leaves and the piercing spines which grow from the leafage sheaths – the scientific name of the plant also reflects this .
Rhapidophyllum comes from two Greek word ‘ Rhapis ’ meaning phonograph needle and ‘ phylum ’ meaning folio .
Hystrix , on the other deal , comes from the Grecian word for hedgehog referring to the spines or bristles found at the bases of leafstalk .
This is why the plant is also sometimes referred to as the porcupine plant or hedgehog thenar .
However , it is more wide cognize with the accompany rough-cut name of needle thenar .
It is also occasionally called blue palmetto .
Rhapidophyllum Hystrix Care
Size & Growth
Needle palm is a slow - growing branched and palmate palm tree species which grow from a short individual bag clip-clop habit but bifurcates into branches as it uprise up with a tropical look .
The stems are tightly held together and organise a dense bush - similar base no more than 4 ’ feet marvelous , at maximum .
However , the whole plant can reach up to 6 ’ to about 10 ’ feet due to its long leaves .
The central leaves of the plant life typically remain erect whereas the side ones are slightly drooping .
The leaves are dark immature , long – they can turn over 6 ’ invertebrate foot in distance – and buff - shaped with a recollective leafstalk and 8 to 16 pamphlet .
The al-Qa’ida or bole of the industrial plant has several little and sharp needle - same spine between the leaves .
These spines work as the plant ’s defense against grazing animal .
Flowering and Fragrance
Rhapidophyllum hystrix produces humble , but dense clusters of yellow - brown flowers in former summertime .
Borne at the top of the stems , the three - petaled prime typically remain enshroud between the showy foliation .
The shrubby Needle palm is a dioecian works , which entail it produces manlike and distaff blossom on separate plants .
The blossom catamenia is survey by the output of fruits on densely pronged panicle , in mid to late summertime .
The fruits are small , ellipse , and undivided - seeded cerise - brown drupes .
Light & Temperature
Needle palm displays the best increase when planted in part shade , but can tolerate full sun .
Porcupine palm develop best in blistering summertime but can live in coolheaded summer climates ; though the growth does get affect in such weather .
Rhapidophyllum palm is highly prized in temperate or colder areas because of its wintertime hardiness – it is one of the mostcold - hardy palm speciesin the domain .
Although extreme cold weather may have some foliar impairment , the plant unremarkably recover .
The recovery , however , is parlous in area with nerveless summer .
It also needs to be protect from winter winds .
The hardiest palm is hardy to USDA hardiness zones 6 to 10 , cold-blooded hardy down to -10 stage F ( -23 ° carbon ) .
Watering and Feeding
Blue palmetto needs a temperate amount of water but is drouth patient of once established .
For secure growing , urine enough to keep the soil moist , but make indisputable to not overwater . Reduce watering in wintertime .
Feed with a slow - freeing fertilizerin spring and mulch around the radix in wintertime .
Soil & Transplanting
Hedgehog fan palm prefers organically copious , evenly moist , and well - drain soil , but can abide teetotal and heavy soil .
Peat - based grease , however , can burn down the root and hence , should be fend off .
Also , it is commend to not fertilize the soil before embed this medal mintage .
Grooming and Maintenance
The Rhapidophyllum metal money is not demanding and hence , quite well-situated to acquire .
crop the industrial plant to remove dead frond and keep a sizeable coming into court .
How To Propagate Needle Palm
Porcupine palm plants acquire from seeds or propagated from suckers .
However , propagation from the suckers is usually the favorite option as seeds take a very long time to germinate – seed may take 6 to 12 month to germinate .
If you do want to maturate the acerate leaf decoration from seeds , sow them 1 to 2 centimetre deep in pot soil , in a container , in spring .
Place the container in a fond and shiny fix and keep the soil consistently moist ( not wet ) .
bound is the effective time to propagate newfangled growth from suckers .
Needle Palm Pest or Diseases
This palm coinage unremarkably does not get involve by any serious pest or disease .
But , it sometimes may getaffected by mealybugsand spider mites .
Overwatering or over - fertilizing can cause yellowing or browning of folio .
When exposed to the scorch midday Lord’s Day or getting too much part sun , without any tribute , the industrial plant may make grow irregular browned spots on the leafage .
Rhapidophyllum Hystrix Uses
The acerate leaf palm tree is widely cultivated for cosmetic purposes due to its evergreen plant foliage .
It makes a near add-on of leaf mass to landscapes and is used as a founding plant , textural accent , and paseo mete plant .
The laurel wreath species is also grown as an understory bush .
It is advocate to be careful and wear retentive sleeve clothes and protective glove when working with this plant due to its acute needle - similar spines .
Rhapidophyllum hystrix is consider to be menace in some area due to its commercial exploitation .
