Thrinax radiata VS Leucothrinax morrisii?

[PalmTreeDude]

Hello, I am kind of confused about the differences between the Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata) and the Key Thatch Palm (Leucothrinax morrisii). Do they both grow in the same parts of Florida or are the Key thatch Palms exclusive to just the Keys and the Florida Thatch Palms found more inland? I heard of one of them being found right along the coast in deep South Florida, but I am not sure which one that was. Also what do their seeds look like? Thank you for reading this, I am a bit confused. 

Edited October 27, 2018 by PalmTreeDude

[PalmatierMeg]

Both are native to the FL Keys and parts of the Caribbean. T. radiata grows taller - to 40' with great age - with a trunk only 5" diameter. Its floppy leaves get large, 4-5' wide and lime green. Leucothrinax grows up to 30' tall with an 8" diameter trunk. Its leaves are much smaller, 2-3' wide, bluish green on top and lighter underneath. Leucothrinax may be slightly cold hardier (to warmer parts of 9a), T. radiata to 9b. I have both species and they are easy to tell apart. I see T. radiata around town in street plantings, maybe because it is commoner and more striking looking. I've yet to see Leucothrinax used that way.

[GMann]

Radiata is a lush looking green palm. Morisii has blue in the underside and green on top. But since some people cut the lower leaves off and just leave the leaves pointing upwards, it can sonetimes look blue overall.

Morrissi really only grows on Big Pine Key and a few other nearby keys, I think Radiata is more widespread. They are both cool looking palms. IMO radiata looks good planted in groupings and as understory to bigger palms to give a lush rainforest look whereas Morrisii looks better as a single specimen planted on a lawn.

[NatureGirl]

Leucothrinax Morrisii very slow, also called brittle thatch, and rightly so. My branches always break when in strong winds/storms. T. radiata, faster, more flexible leaves. Mine above the house now.

[Reeverse]

I've been wanting to try both of these up here in Volusia County. Dent Smith's old property in Daytona Beach has a huge Thrinax radiata with about 20 ft clear trunk so I thing they are safe here. Not sure though 

[NatureGirl]

They are definitely worth a try, I think Leuco morrisii is the hardiest.

[aztropic]

Thrinax radiata - large,heavy,lime green fronds.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[aztropic]

Leucothrinax morrisii - smaller green fronds with blue undersides. Both species seem to have proven themselves hardy in the Arizona desert.Only problem here is finding one for sale.I grew both of these from seed I collected in the Florida keys.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[aztropic]

Leucothrinax morrisii - seedlings just germinating over the last 2 weeks.These will look like blades of grass for about the next 3 years! (1 gallon community pot)

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Rickybobby]

1 hour ago, aztropic said:

Leucothrinax morrisii - smaller green fronds with blue undersides. Both species seem to have proven themselves hardy in the Arizona desert.Only problem here is finding one for sale.I grew both of these from seed I collected in the Florida keys.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

So humidity isn’t an issue obviously even though when you read up on it. It says needs a humid environment. I ask because I have 3 seedlings one lead and one is majorly brown tipping the others look great and they are in a prettt humid environment 

[aztropic]

Actually,the first inch or so of nearly every palm frond in my yard has a brown tip.Humidity for 9 months each year is only around 5% or less.I can grow many varieties of palms,just not to tropical perfection.I'm happy with the tradeoff though, and feel lucky that I am at least able to enjoy them for what they are.

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[Sandy Loam]

In my opinion, thrinax radiata looks much nicer.  It is a common tree planted in street medians throughout South Florida. I am not a fan of them when juvenile, but they look fantastic when they grow tall.

[aztropic]

Wild morrisii,

Nassau,Bahamas

 

aztropic

Mesa,Arizona

[kinzyjr]

21 hours ago, PalmTreeDude said:

Hello, I am kind of confused about the differences between the Florida Thatch Palm (Thrinax radiata) and the Key Thatch Palm (Leucothrinax morrisii). Do they both grow in the same parts of Florida or are the Key thatch Palms exclusive to just the Keys and the Florida Thatch Palms found more inland? I heard of one of them being found right along the coast in deep South Florida, but I am not sure which one that was. Also what do their seeds look like? Thank you for reading this, I am a bit confused. 

I have a bunch of thrinax radiata seeds out in the nursery right now.  The fruit on them is white.  The seeds themselves are a little bigger than a BB and are a light green.  You can see them in the photo by Paul Craft here: http://www.palmpedia.net/wiki/Thrinax_radiata

[Zeeth]

Here's the tallest L. morrisii in Florida:

 

Here's one in the wild on Big Pine Key.