Attalea cohune
 
Common Names Cohune Palm, Manaca Palm, American Oil Palm, Corozo Palm
 
Zones 9B–12
 
A massive, solitary palm native to Central America and southern Mexico, Attalea cohune is known for its towering trunk, enormous fronds, and economic importance. Traditionally used for oil, thatch, and timber, it also serves as a dramatic ornamental in large tropical landscapes. Juvenile plants remain trunkless for years, making them surprisingly cold-tolerant until maturity.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing; monocarpic
Height: Up to 80 ft (25 m) in habitat; 40–60 ft in cultivation
Trunk: Thick, up to 24 in diameter; smooth gray with age; no crownshaft
Leaves: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 32 ft long; leaflets dark green above, silvery beneath
Petiole: Unarmed; leaf bases persistent and fibrous
Inflorescence: Cream-colored flowers; monoecious; flowering may span several years
Fruit: Ovoid, yellow-brown when ripe; ~3 in long; contains 1–3 seeds; used for oil and food
Ecology: Native to lowland rainforests and hillsides; found from sea level to 300 m elevation across Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and southern Mexico2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun; even young plants tolerate direct light
Watering: Frequent; prefers moist, sandy, well-drained soil
Soil: Rich loam; tolerates acidic to neutral pH (4.5–7.5)
Temperature: Hardy to 23°F (–5°C); ideal range 70–90°F (21–32°C)
Humidity: High; thrives in tropical humidity
Propagation: By seed; germination in 1–6 months at 77–86°F
Tolerance: Wind-resistant; sensitive to frost and fire; recovers from foliage loss in mild cold2
 
Landscape Use Best suited for large estates, tropical restoration, and agroforestry. Pairs well with Ceiba pentandra, Tabebuia rosea, and Zamia integrifolia.