Cryosophila stauracantha
 
Common Names Rootspine Palm, Escoba Palm
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A rare understory palm native to the rainforests of Belize, Guatemala, and southeastern Mexico, Cryosophila stauracantha is prized for its silvery foliage and unusual trunk armor. Its slender stem is covered in spine-like modified roots—an evolutionary defense against browsing animals. This species thrives in warm, sheltered gardens and makes an elegant houseplant in bright indirect light.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Typically 10–30 ft (3–9 m); trunk diameter 4–6 in (10–15 cm)
Trunk: Slim; covered in outward-facing root spines
Leaves: Costapalmate; 18–24 leaves; each with 32–50 segments; dark green above, silvery below
Inflorescence: Small white flowers; borne beneath the leaf bases
Fruit: Globose; white; ~0.5 in (1.2 cm) diameter
Ecology: Subcanopy palm of humid tropical forests; prefers protected, shaded sites2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Filtered sun to full shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers consistent moisture
Soil: Rich, well-drained; high organic content
Temperature: Hardy to ~28°F (–2°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: High; thrives in tropical/subtropical climates
Propagation: By seed; slow to germinate
Tolerance: Not drought- or salt-tolerant; sensitive to wind and cold
 
Landscape Use Ideal for shaded tropical gardens, conservatories, and collectors of rare understory palms. Pairs well with Chamaedorea, Licuala, and Geonoma species.