This week we are going to highlight the beautiful buccaneer palm (Pseudophoenix sargentii)! This hardy, medium to large sized palm is found in coastal habitats of South Florida and the Keys. Buccaneer palm grows native in tropical rockland habitats, and can tolerate full to part sun, and sandy, well-draining soils. Once established, buccaneer palm is hurricane wind resistant, drought tolerant, and salt tolerant.

Buccaneer palm is very slow growing, but can eventually get up to 10-15 ft tall (some reports claim it can get up to 25 ft tall!). This attractive palm makes an excellent specimen tree, producing gorgeous blue to silver fronds.

It produces clusters of green-yellow flowers, which are a bee magnet! When in bloom, our buccaneer palms are constantly buzzing with bees.

Unfortunately, buccaneer palm is listed as endangered in Florida, it was almost eliminated from its natural Florida Keys population primarily due to habitat loss and destruction. To help maintain the genetic integrity of this species, please only purchase from a reputable nursery.

For more information:

Florida Native Plant Society:

https://www.fnps.org/plant/pseudophoenix-sargentii#gsc.tab=0

Center for Plant Conservation: