Red Barbel Palm

The Red Barbel Palm (*Acanthophoenix rubra*) is a solitary, feather-leaved palm native to Réunion and Mauritius. Its slender, ringed stem and spiny young leaf bases make it a dramatic specimen for a large, warm, humid garden, with placement well clear of paths. ## Landscape profile In its native range, this palm grows in humid forest and can reach about 12 m (39 ft). Its narrow stem carries a crown of arching, pinnate leaves; young leaf sheaths bear long dark spines that become less prominent as the plant matures. Small white-to-cream flowers form below the crown. The [National Parks of France species profile](https://parcsnationaux.fr/fr/des-connaissances/biodiversite/flore-emblematique/les-arbres/le-palmiste-rouge) describes the plant’s size and spines, while the Réunion flora places it in humid lowland forest on the island’s windward side. Kew accepts *A. rubra* as a species native to Mauritius and Réunion. The [Conservatoire Botanique National de Mascarin flora index](https://mascarine.cbnm.org/index.php/flore/index-de-la-flore/nom?code_taxref=629006) treats it separately from upland *A. crinita* (Yellow Barbel Palm), so the two catalog entries represent distinct species under this taxonomic treatment. ## Conservation The [Kew taxon record](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:663892-1/general-information) reports a Critically Endangered category in its linked IUCN data. Réunion’s national park guidance says collecting the wild palm heart is prohibited and explains that its removal kills the palm. Choose legally cultivated nursery stock; this is not a recommendation to harvest wild plants. ## Cultivar and patent This catalog entry represents the botanical species, not a named cultivar. No breeder, cultivar brand, or plant patent was identified. A [Réunion nursery profile from Pépinière de la Chapelle](https://pepinieredelachapelle.re/fiches-palmiers/acanthophoenix-rubra-palmiste-rouge) offers species-specific landscape and growing notes. ## Maintenance Use a warm, humid site with soil that drains freely; the native Réunion habitat is wet forest. Protect it from frost, and keep it out of walkways while the spiny leaf sheaths are prominent. A local nursery advises against planting close to the sea, so do not treat this palm as salt-spray tolerant. Remove only fully dead fronds when needed, taking care around the sharp spines; site access and protective equipment matter more than frequent pruning.