Aiphanes horrida

[BrockD]

Anyone growing this Palm? I’d like to see some garden pictures 

[mnorell]

I have minima, not horrida, two seedlings still in a pot after several years, out here in the Palm Springs area. Does well but really wants shade and a protected environment when young or it will just look tatty and grow slowly. I think both species are emergent canopy-breakers so best coddled under trees until they get much bigger. I had mine out in the "back 40" in a spot that didn't get enough water or shelter, and as soon as I moved them into a more visible area where I water constantly and can better control conditions, new, larger and very attractive leaves started emerging. I can say at least this species seems to like it here. I used to grow horrida back in the Florida Keys. I had a small one planted out in a dappled sun/shade area and it actually grew quite quickly for a seedling. I think it was killed in Irma, however, so I never got to see it grow up. But I know other SoCal people have grown both of these species easily in the ground, but I believe I've only seen it discussed as planted in the more coastal zones of the San Diego metro.

[idontknowhatnametuse]

In the vallarta botanical garden

[Rick Kelley]

I think that this is a beautiful palm, BUT it is deadly.  It is covered with needle-sharp spines.  One of the most lethal palms in my garden. Definitely 'look but don't touch'.  Don't plant close to walkways or anywhere you will need access.  Seeds germinate easily. Moderately fast grower.  Attractive bow tie leaflets. Did I mention the horrible spines?

[Cindy Adair]

I agree with Rick that this species is definitely not huggable. 

I was wearing gloves and using a rake to help pull down some old leaves but still managed to impale my fingers more than once while moving the spiny fronds into a trash bag. 
 

I don’t leave these to decompose because they will grab me again and again over time. 
 

Still mine is up a hill from a walkway and pretty to admire from afar.