Rhapidophyllum hystrix Medicinal Plants cattleya orchid-like flowers with a

cattleya orchid-like flowers with a dark purple lip are held above the foliage

great for a border in a small garden

drought-loving perennial/sub-shrub from the Transcaucasia (Italy west to Georgia)

imported to the US by plantsman John Elsley in the 1970s

flowering is reduced

Rhapidophyllum hystrix Medicinal Plants cattleya orchid-like flowers with aThe hardiest of palms, Rhapidophyllum hystrix is a slow growing Southeast US (Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina) native that has withstood 9 degrees F here with NO damage (without protection or special siting). We expect established needle palm specimens should handle 20 degrees F. This short trunked, 8' tall x 12' wide, clump forming, hardy palm has typical cut leaf, green palm foliage and sharp "needles" at the base to protect the seeds