Hemithrinax ekmaniana
 
Common Names Jumagua Palm, Trinac
 
Zones 10B–11
 
Among the rarest palms on Earth, Hemithrinax ekmaniana is endemic to just three mogotes—steep, eroded limestone hills—in northern Cuba. Rediscovered in 1978, fewer than 100 wild specimens cling to porous rock faces with almost no humus, enduring high winds and intense sun. Its perfectly spherical crown of stiff, spiny leaves makes it one of the most visually arresting miniature fan palms in cultivation.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; extremely slow-growing
Height: Typically 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m); trunk diameter ~2 in (5 cm)
Trunk: Slender; gray; may be smooth or covered in fibrous matting
Leaves: Palmate; tightly grouped; nearly stalkless; stiff and spiky; deep green with silver undersides
Inflorescence: Hidden among leaves; small white flowers on 2 ft (60 cm) stalks
Fruit: Small, round, purple; ripens late summer to fall
Ecology: Endemic to karst limestone mogotes in Villa Clara, Cuba; grows in exposed, rocky conditions with minimal soil
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; avoid overwatering
Soil: Extremely well-drained; alkaline or rocky substrate preferred
Temperature: Hardy to ~35°F (1.5°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: Moderate to high
Propagation: By seed; very slow germination and growth
Tolerance: High wind and coastal exposure; not salt-tolerant
 
Landscape Use Best suited for collectors, limestone gardens, and conservation-focused installations. Pairs well with Coccothrinax borhidiana, Zamia integrifolia, and Gaussia gomez-pompae.