Acoelorrhaphe wrightii
 
Common Names Paurotis Palm, Everglades Palm
 
Zones 9B–11
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii is a slow-growing, clump-forming palm native to southern Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America. Known for its fan-shaped leaves and fibrous, reddish-brown trunks, it thrives in wet, subtropical environments and adapts well to pond margins and rain gardens. Its upright stems and silvery leaf undersides add texture and brightness to landscape compositions.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Clustering palm; slow growth rate
Height: Up to 9 m (30 ft) in habitat; 4.5–6 m in cultivation
Trunk: Multi-stemmed; slender trunks with fibrous matting and leaf base remnants
Leaves: Palmate, up to 60 cm wide; light green above, silvery beneath
Petiole: Up to 90 cm; armed with small spines
Inflorescence: Upright panicles up to 90 cm; creamy yellow flowers in spring
Fruit: Small round berries; ripen from green to orange to black
Ecology: Native to swamps and seasonally flooded woodlands; tolerates brackish water and clay soils
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Medium to wet; tolerates standing water
Soil: Moist, slightly acidic loam; tolerates clay and sand
Temperature: Ideal range 65–85°F (18–29°C); protect from hard frost
Humidity: Moderate to high; thrives in humid climates
Propagation: By seed or division; seeds germinate in ~3 months
Tolerance: Salt-tolerant; sensitive to alkaline soils and nutrient deficiencies
 
Landscape Use Excellent for pond edges, rain gardens, and tropical screens. Pairs well with Sabal minor, Taxodium distichum, and Thalia dealbata.