Copernicia rigida
 
Common Names
Jata Palm, Cuban Stiff-leaved Palm, Stiff Wax Palm
 
Zones
10A–11
 
A rare, medium-sized fan palm endemic to Cuba, Copernicia rigida is prized for its sculptural form and extreme resilience. Its wedge-shaped, shuttlecock-like crown of stiff, upright leaves gives it a dramatic silhouette, especially in arid or serpentine landscapes. Though slow-growing, it’s a collector’s favorite for dry tropical gardens and conservation-focused plantings.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; extremely slow growth
Height: 15–25 ft (4.5–7.5 m); trunk diameter ~8 in (20 cm)
Trunk: Straight, gray; retains old leaf bases forming a brown skirt
Leaves: Palmate; steeply wedge-shaped; rigid; gray-green to bluish with orange streaks in eastern forms
Petiole: Short; armed with sharp spines
Inflorescence: Bisexual flowers; small, white; emerges among leaves
Fruit: Small, black; round; wildlife-friendly
Ecology: Native to ultramafic soils in Cuba’s “cuabales” and serpentine barrens; tolerates high magnesium and heavy metals
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Low; drought-tolerant
Soil: Prefers rocky, nutrient-poor, well-drained soils
Temperature: Hardy to ~28°F (–2°C); sensitive to frost
Humidity: Moderate to low; tolerates edaphic drought
Propagation: By seed; germinates in <3 months; extremely slow juvenile growth
Tolerance: High drought and metal tolerance; best in dry tropics
 
Landscape Use
Ideal for xeric gardens, conservation landscapes, and collectors seeking rare Cuban endemics. Pairs well with Coccothrinax miraguama, Zombia antillarum, and Copernicia baileyana.