I have planted several Coccothrinax  from a couple different sources and am wondering if anyone can help ID them. I believe they are all Coccothrinax  barbadensis but not sure. Could it be Coccothrinax argentea? 

I will eventually probably cut them when they get too tall but making some shade on a path for a little understory gardening. 

Also a few questions. If anyone can answer, thanks!

Any estimate of how many years to reach 15 or 20 feet? Maybe 6 to 8 years? I’m sure it depends on the soil and climate somewhat. 

seems to be a fast grower, is it?

do they send out shoots off the base or do they only grow from seeds?

If I’m looking to give some shade to an area can I plant them pretty close to each other as long as interspersed small/larger palms?  Say 6” tall and 15” tall seedlings? It may be too close but a couple are only 3’ apart.

how do you tell them apart?

 

 

Edited October 31, 20223 yr by happygarden
Correction

I'm next to no good ID'ing palms, but this is mine after 20 years from 1 gallon pot.  I'd say it's over 20' tall.

About 10' away is a seedling I did not plant.  Bird or wind blown seedling.  It's about 4 years old.

 

 

Hi Happygarden. I recognized in your pictures Coccothrinax barbadensis. Argentea has stiffer leaves at young stage with a lack of orange colour and as the palm grow the back of the leaves will be more of a silver tint.

This species is slower in growth than Coccothrinax argentea - I experimented both- but I will reckon barbadensis could reach 50 feet after 60 years if watered regulary otherwise could be three times smaller in the same lapse of time. My two Coccothrinax barbadensis have been enduring drought conditions since germination 15 years ago and show only about a 2 feet trunk. My deceased argentea in the same condition reached 10 feet in 10 years.

Best regards.

Agree with @hery . Barbadensis is the commonest Coccothrinax in cultivation. I have multiples and find them faster growing than less common Coccothrinax such as montana, spissa, crinita etc.