Thrinax parviflora - Thatch Palm

The Thrinax parviflora is a rare tropical palm tree in cultivation, unique, but rather easy to grow in a frost-free container. This very beautiful species is characterized by a thin and smooth trunk topped with a beautiful crown of small fan-shaped leaves cut into segments of a very bright green, curiously twisted and curled. It thrives in ordinary but well-drained soil, even limestone, but cannot tolerate frost. This robust palm tree is a very beautiful conservatory plant.

The Thrinax parviflora belongs to the family of arécacées. It is an endemic palm tree to the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, up to 900 meters (2953 feet) above sea level, under a tropical climate that experiences pronounced wet and dry seasons. In its native lands, the annual rainfall varies between 1000 and 2500 mm (39 and 98in). 

This palm tree, which can reach about 13 m (43ft) in height in nature, will remain much more compact in a pot. Over time, it develops a rather thin, straight, solitary false trunk (stipe), sometimes reaching 15 cm (6in) in diameter. The base of the stipe is covered with remnants of old petioles and dried leaves. The foliage is arranged in a semi-open crown, and it can eventually reach a span of 4 m (13ft). This crown is composed of palmate leaves arranged in a staggered manner, 40 to 70 cm (16 to 28in) wide, circular, with variable appearance, divided into 37 to 57 rigid and leathery segments, quite wide, with twisted and curled tips. The petiole measures 50 cm (20in) to 1.42 m (5ft) long.

The Thrinax are hermaphroditic, meaning that the same individual carries male and female flowers. Flowering occurs on mature individuals. It takes the form of erect to arched inflorescences, measuring 40 cm (16in) to 1.75 m (6ft) long, filled with small ivory to yellowish, fragrant flowers. The fruits turn white and smooth or slightly punctate at ripeness. They measure 6.4 to 7.3 mm (<1in) in diameter. 

The Thrinax parviflora will be grown in a large container throughout Europe, which will be stored in the conservatory during winter or even in a large, well-lit and minimally heated room. Placed near an entrance or on either side of a gate, planted in isolation near a swimming pool, or installed on a terrace, it will be superb. Fans of graphic plants can place other exotic plants next to it, such as the Siberian Nolina, the Ovatifolia Agave, the Dasylirion wheeleri, the Yucca rigida, or the Yuccoïdes Beshorneria.