Allagoptera leucocalyx

*Allagoptera leucocalyx* is a small South American palm known as coco-da-chapada in Brazil. Its trunk is usually subterranean or very short, though it can become upright with age; the evergreen crown can reach roughly 1.5 m tall. ## Landscape Use and Seasonal Interest The compact scale suits small landscape areas or grouped plantings. Inhotim’s Cerrado species guide identifies the plant as an Arecaceae of the Cerrado, recommends it for small landscape areas or mass plantings, and notes that its fruits feed local wildlife. Useful Tropical Plants describes it from open, dry, rocky places, often in sandy soil, and reports success in full sun to light shade. Those habitat notes support a bright, freely draining site, but do not justify assuming drought tolerance in every garden. ## Form and Siting The leaf crown is upright and may rise above a short underground stem. Leave space for the crown to broaden and avoid a permanently waterlogged location. Kew lists the native range as Brazil to Bolivia and Argentina; hardiness depends on local winter conditions. ## Maintenance Use a sunny or lightly shaded position with good drainage, and water according to local rainfall and the plant’s establishment. The opened sources do not establish a universal USDA zone range or a mature spread. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:8524-2/general-information) · [Useful Tropical Plants](https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Allagoptera+leucocalyx) · [Inhotim Cerrado species guide](https://www.inhotim.org.br/territorios-tematicos/ser-do-cerrado/especies/coco-da-chapada/)