Acrocomia crispa
 
Common Names Cuban Belly Palm, Corojo Palm
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A striking palm endemic to Cuba, Acrocomia crispa is admired for its grotesquely swollen trunk and armored silhouette. Formerly classified as Gastrococos crispa, it thrives in open forests on limestone soils and adapts well to warm, subtropical gardens. Its silvery leaf undersides and spiny crown lend dramatic texture to landscape compositions, making it a collector’s favorite.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary palm; slow to moderate growth rate
Height: Up to 12 m (40 ft) in habitat; 9–12 m in cultivation
Trunk: Single, gray trunk; slender at base, swollen midsection; covered in black spines except at base
Leaves: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 2.5 m long; dark green above, silvery beneath
Petiole: Spiny; supports drooping, narrow leaflets
Inflorescence: Thorny panicles; monoecious yellow flowers in summer
Fruit: Globose, orange-yellow; ~2.5 cm diameter; not edible
Ecology: Native to calcareous open forests; tolerates drought and alkaline soils
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-draining; tolerates alkaline and sandy soils
Temperature: Ideal range 65–85°F (18–29°C); hardy to 25°F
Humidity: Moderate; prefers warm, humid climates
Propagation: By seed; germination slow (up to 12 months)
Tolerance: Drought and salt tolerant; sensitive to nutrient deficiencies
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical gardens, xeric landscapes, and collector displays. Pairs well with Copernicia baileyana, Zamia integrifolia, and Beaucarnea recurvata.