''Pseudophoenix sargentii'', commonly known as the Florida cherry palm or buccaneer palm, is a medium-sized

palm Palm most commonly refers to: * Palm of the hand, the central region of the front of the hand * Palm plants, of family Arecaceae **List of Arecaceae genera * Several other plants known as "palm" Palm or Palms may also refer to: Music * Palm (ba ...

native to the northern Caribbean, eastern

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

, and extreme southeast

Florida Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...

in the United States.

Description

''Pseudophoenix sargentii'' is usually near the sea on

sand Sand is a granular material composed of finely divided mineral particles. Sand has various compositions but is defined by its grain size. Sand grains are smaller than gravel and coarser than silt. Sand can also refer to a textural class o ...

y or

limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...

soils. The palm grows in a ringed truck fashion to 8 metres tall and up to 30 centimetres in diameter, often slightly swollen. Yellowish flowers are spaced in loose clusters.

Conservation

This species is thought to perhaps be secure in the wild, although little data exists on the abundance or distribution of its worldwide population. In Florida, this species is considered critically endangered. It was historically found only on

Elliott Key Elliott Key is the northernmost of the true Florida Keys (those 'keys' which are ancient coral reefs lifted above the present sea level), and the largest key north of Key Largo. It is located entirely within Biscayne National Park, in Miami-Dade ...

Long Key Long Key is an island in the middle Florida Keys. Long Key was called Cayo Víbora (Rattlesnake Key) by early Spanish explorers, a reference to the shape of the island, which resembles a snake with its jaws open, rather than to its denizens. The ...

, and

Sands Key Sands Key is an island north of the upper Florida Keys in Biscayne National Park. It is in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is located in lower Biscayne Bay, between Elliott Key and Boca Chita Key. History Earlier names for the island were "Las ...

in the Florida Keys.NatureServe
/ref> A large population from Long Key was destroyed in the early 20th century after they were dug and sold as ornamentals. Today, the only natural population remaining in Florida is on Elliott Key, consisting of less than 50 individuals. It is considered Vulnerable by both the IUCN and

NatureServe NatureServe, Inc. is a non-profit organization based in Arlington County, Virginia, US, that provides proprietary wildlife conservation-related data, tools, and services to private and government clients, partner organizations, and the public. Nat ...

. Populations in Haiti and nearby

Navassa Island Navassa Island (; ht, Lanavaz; french: l'île de la Navasse, sometimes ) is a small uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea. Located northeast of Jamaica, south of Cuba, and west of Jérémie on the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti, it is subject ...

are thought to be

extirpated Local extinction, also known as extirpation, refers to a species (or other taxon) of plant or animal that ceases to exist in a chosen geographic area of study, though it still exists elsewhere. Local extinctions are contrasted with global extinct ...

Cultivation

''Pseudophoenix sargentii'' is a handsome palm and cultivated in the specialty

horticulture Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

trade and available as an ornamental palm for private

garden A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the cultivation, display, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The single feature identifying even the wildest wild garden is ''control''. The garden can incorporate bot ...

habitat garden A wildlife garden (or wild garden) is an environment created by a gardener that serves as a sustainable haven for surrounding wildlife. Wildlife gardens contain a variety of habitats that cater to native and local plants, birds, amphibians, ...

s, and various types of municipal, commercial, and agency sustainable landscape and

restoration Restoration is the act of restoring something to its original state and may refer to: * Conservation and restoration of cultural heritage ** Audio restoration ** Film restoration ** Image restoration ** Textile restoration * Restoration ecology ...

projects.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q7255286 sargentii Trees of the Caribbean Trees of Belize Flora of Florida Trees of Quintana Roo Flora of the Yucatán Peninsula Garden plants of North America Ornamental trees