Palm (Coccothrinax)

Coccothrinax is an accepted genus of palms in the family Arecaceae, native from Florida and southern Mexico through the Caribbean to Colombia. Kew’s description, drawing on the *Flora of the Cayman Islands*, characterizes the genus as slender unarmed trees with long-stalked, palmately divided leaves and one-seeded, globose fruits that mature black or dark brown. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:297113-2/general-information) ## Form and range The genus is chiefly West Indian, and Kew’s account gives an approximate count of about 30 species. Its palm leaves, fruit, and growth forms vary among species, so the genus entry does not imply one mature size, garden zone, or cultural requirement. Some Coccothrinax species are shrubs and others are trees; consult the species record for a narrower description. ## Garden use The genus includes palms with ornamental fan foliage, but a planting decision should follow the named species and the local climate rather than a genus-wide size or hardiness assumption. The botanical description is useful for recognizing the group: leaves are palmately cleft, flowers occur among the leaves, and mature fruit is one-seeded. [Montgomery Botanical Center palm biologist Larry Noblick’s identification key](https://palmbeachpalmcycadsociety.com/palms/documents/Coccothrinax.pdf) ## Maintenance Species-specific care varies across this genus. Use the maintenance guidance for the identified species and retain healthy fronds unless local horticultural guidance or safety requires removal.