Rhapidophyllum hystrix - Needle Palm

The Needle Palm, in Latin Rhapidophyllum hystrix, is a remarkable North American species, even hardier than its famous cousin, Trachycarpus fortunei, but dependent on moist, even waterlogged soils. This astonishing palm, which tolerates shade well, can be grown in the ground in most areas, as long as it doesn't lack water. Forming a dense, low clump of large fan-shaped leaves carried by a short stipe that remains close to the ground, it brings a real touch of exoticism to any bed, and especially to water features. 

Rhapidophyllum hystrix is sometimes called the Porcupine Palm because of the long black spines that cover its petioles. It belongs to the Arecaceae (Palm) family. It is native to the moist understory of several southeastern states in the United States: it can be found in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina, sometimes growing in flooded areas. This evergreen palm, particularly resistant, is suitable to all climates, temperate and cold or subtropical and dry, as long as it benefits from fertile and consistently moist soil.

From a young age, this cespitose* palm shows a bushy habit that it will keep throughout its life, and its bluish-green leaves with gray-silver undersides are very elegant. Growing quite rapidly, it will reach about 3 m (10ft) in height and 2.50 m (8ft) in width at the age of 10, when planted in the ground. Its vegetation consists of a very short, often prostrate false trunk (stipe), not exceeding 1 m (3ft) in height and 20 cm (8in) in diameter (*capable of producing suckers as it ages). It is covered in brown fibers among which emerge long dark spines, remnants of the old petioles that persist on the plant long after the leaves have fallen. At the top of this stipe, a crown develops consisting of about 15 palmate leaves, 1 m (3ft) to 1.20 m (4ft) wide, divided into 20 to 25 stiff and leathery segments. This palm has male and female individuals, with very short inflorescences. The small flowers are composed of 3 dark red petals. The dark brown, pruinous fruits, borne on female plants, measure 1 cm (1in) in diameter. They are often entangled in the fibers of the stipe and the spines, at the base of the crown. The very hard, cream-coloured seeds germinate with difficulty, which may explain its relative rarity in cultivation.

The needle palm, along with Chamaerops humilis, is one of the easiest palms to acclimate in many of our regions, especially in cold and humid climates. When planted in the ground, it should be grown as a standalone specimen, near a water feature or not far from a swimming pool for example, along with Tetrapanax Rex, bananas, or cannas, in an exotic-inspired setting. A bit difficult to pair due to its strong personality, it can nevertheless be planted in a semi-shaded position in groups of 3 subjects and surrounded by a carpet of Petasites fragrans or Farfugium japonicum for example. In a contemporary garden, it will look beautiful above a sea of white pebbles. It will make a magnificent specimen on a terrace or balcony, planted in a carefully chosen large container, in consistently moist soil.