Leucothrinax morrisii
(H.Wendl.) C.Lewis & Zona
Arecaceae
Simpsonia microcarpa (Sarg.) O.F.Cook
Thrinax bahamensis O.F.Cook
Thrinax drudei Becc.
Thrinax ekmanii Burret
Thrinax havanensis auct.
Thrinax keyensis Sarg.
Thrinax microcarpa Sarg.
Thrinax morrisii H.Wendl.
Thrinax ponceana O.F.Cook
Thrinax praeceps O.F.Cook
Thrinax punctulata Becc.
Common Name:
Brittle thatchpalm at Dry Forest of Guánica, PR.
Photograph by: Xemenendura
Brittle thatchpalm at Dry Forest of Guánica, PR.
Photograph by: Xemenendura
Cultivated plant in Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida, USA
Photograph by: John Dransfield
Image credit to Palmweb
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida, USA
Photograph by: John Dransfield
Image credit to Palmweb
Flowering plant
Photograph by: Carl E. Lewis'
Image credit to Palmweb
Big Pine Key, Florida, USA
Photograph by: William J. Baker
Image credit to Palmweb
General Information
Leucothrinax morrisii is a single-stemmed palm tree growing 1 - 11 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 5 - 35cm in diameter, topped with a crown of around 20 circular, fan-shaped leaves that can be 150cm in diameter on stems 27 - 54cm long[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
The leaves are a popular thatching material and are often harvested from the wild for local use. The stem of the plant is used to make poles.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
656- Title
- Monocotyledons and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium. Vol. 52
- Author
- Acevedo-Rodríguez P. & Strong M.T. (Editors)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington.
- Year
- 2005
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A treatment of the monocots and gymnosperms growing in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
Range
Caribbean - Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas; Southeast N. America - Florida.
Habitat
Open woodlands and coastal forests[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Dry, deciduous woodlands, or open coastal regions, often on limestone soils, usually at low elevations[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 7.50 m |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Succeeds in the tropics to the subtropics[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Tolerant of some frost, with one report suggesting that the plant can withstand temperatures down to -4°c[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Requires a sunny position[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Grows best in a well drained, calcareous soil[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Tolerant of salt in the soil[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
].
A slow growing plant[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
].
Plants commence flowering when still very small[
656- Title
- Monocotyledons and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
- Contributions from the United States National Herbarium. Vol. 52
- Author
- Acevedo-Rodríguez P. & Strong M.T. (Editors)
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution; Washington.
- Year
- 2005
- ISBN
- 0097-1618
- Description
- A treatment of the monocots and gymnosperms growing in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The leaves are used for thatching and for weaving various items[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
The stems are used as poles[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
].
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
