Allagoptera arenaria

#1

AKA Sand Palm... this is one of the more pleasant, smaller palms for a tropical OR Mediterranean garden, with no or a very short trunk, arching, spineless/toothless leaves with a plumose arrangement of the leaflets. Plants are slow growing as seedlings (very) but once a foot or so tall start putting out leaves a bit faster and eventually one has a nice 3' tall shrub of foliage that is dark green and 'user-friendly'. From Brazil, where it grows in the sands off the coast of the Pacific. IN California, this is a very durable species, growing in just about any soil type and being hardy down to about 20F. Does need water pretty consistently, though to do well (not terribly drought tolerant until mature). Does well in full sun to moderate shade.