Create Your Garden

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Paurotis Palm)

Paurotis Palm, Everglades Palm, Acoelorrhaphe arborescens, Acoelorraphe wrightii, Copernicia wrightiiPaurotis wrightii, , Paurotis androsana, Paurotis arborescens, Paurotis schippii, Paurotis psilocalyx​​​​​​​, Serenoa arborescens, Acanthosabal caespitosa, Brahea psilocalyx, Acoelorrhaphe pinetorum,

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii, Paurotis Palm, Everglades Palm, Acoelorrhaphe arborescens, Drought tolerant tree, Palm Tree
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii, Paurotis Palm, Everglades Palm, Acoelorrhaphe arborescens, Drought tolerant tree, Palm Tree

Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Paurotis Palm) is an attractive, clump-forming, multi-stemmed, evergreen palm with a slender trunk and stiff, fan-shaped leaves. The leaves, about 2 ft. across (60 cm), are light green above and slightly silver underneath. They are attached to long spiny petioles that can reach 3 ft. in length (90 cm). The foliage can be so lush, from the ground up, as to hide the trunk. The lower fronds can be removed so that the trunks can be clearly seen. The thin, brown trunk is often covered with thick, fibrous matting. In the spring, large branching and arching inflorescences, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm), usually extend beyond the leaves and contain a profusion of tiny, creamy-white flowers. They give way to shiny, orange berries turning black at maturity. Rather slow-growing, Paurotis Palm is native to Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, occurring in swamps and hammocks. It makes a beautiful specimen plant and is excellent along ponds and for providing a tropical effect in moist to wet soils.

  • Grows up to 20-30 ft. tall (6-9 m) and 15-25 ft. wide (4.5-7.5 m).
  • Easily grown in moist soils in full sun. This plant occurs naturally in wet places but will adapt to drier sites. Paurotis Palm does not grow well in calcareous soils. Tolerant of frequent inundation, it is moderately tolerant of salty wind, salt spray, and slightly brackish water.
  • Pruning of dead leaves or flower or fruit stalks can be done at any time.
  • Keep an eye out for scales and beetles.
  • May suffer from manganese deficiency in calcareous soils, potassium deficiency (black spots on the oldest leaves), iron deficiency (greenish-yellow leaves). Fertilize every 3 months with a controlled release 8-2-12-4 Mg (or 8-0-12-4 Mg) plus micronutrient fertilizer.
  • Propagate by seed, or by division. Seeds take about 3 months for germinating.
  • Native to Florida, the Caribbean and Central America.

Requirements

Hardiness 10 - 11
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Arecaceae
Genus Cycas
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Salt, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Cycas to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Zamia pumila (Coontie)
Roystonea regia (Florida Royal Palm)
Coccothrinax argentata (Florida Silver Palm)
Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto)
Dioon spinulosum (Giant Dioon)
Cyrtostachys renda (Lipstick Palm)

Recommended Companion Plants

Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood)
Ilex cassine (Dahoon)
Acer rubrum (Red Maple)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 10 - 11
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Arecaceae
Genus Cycas
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 20' - 30'
(6.1m - 9.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average, High
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive, Poorly Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Salt, Wet Soil
Attracts Birds
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Cycas to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Paurotis Palm) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Paurotis Palm) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone