Copernicia macroglossa
 
Common Names Cuban Petticoat Palm, Jata Palm, Jata de Guanabacoa
 
Zones 9B–11
 
A striking fan palm endemic to western and central Cuba, Copernicia macroglossa is famed for its persistent skirt of dead leaves—its “petticoat”—and its upright, circular foliage. Native to serpentine soils, it thrives in blazing sun and poor substrates, making it ideal for dry tropical gardens and collectors seeking bold form and botanical curiosity.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Up to 30 ft (9 m); crown spread 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m)
Trunk: Slender; 8 in (20 cm) diameter; obscured by persistent leaf bases forming a dense skirt
Leaves: Costapalmate; fan-shaped; erect; spiral arrangement; virtually no petiole; waxy green
Inflorescence: Vertical; emerges in summer; bisexual white flowers
Fruit: Oval; black; ~1 in (2.5 cm) diameter; ripens late summer
Ecology: Endemic to serpentine savannas of La Habana, Las Villas, and Pinar del Río; adapted to nutrient-poor, metal-rich soils
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained; serpentine, sandy, or rocky; avoid rich soils
Temperature: Hardy to ~26°F (–3°C); foliage may burn in hard freezes
Humidity: Moderate; thrives in hot, humid climates
Propagation: By seed; germinates in ~60 days
Tolerance: High drought and salt tolerance; sensitive to overwatering
 
Landscape Use Ideal for dry tropical gardens, serpentine-themed plantings, and collectors seeking unusual architectural form. Pairs well with Copernicia hospita, Coccothrinax spissa, and Zombia antillarum.