''Thrinax parviflora'' is a

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 ...

which is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the Blue Mountains of

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

where it occurs in open and rocky, seasonally dry open deciduous forest up to 900 meters elevation.

Taxonomy

Some botanists recognize two subspecies, one being ''Thrinax parviflora'' var. ''parviflora''.

Description

It grows a slender, smooth trunk no more than 6 inches with a maximum height of 50 feet. It is topped by an open crown of smallish, very thick and leathery fan leaves 3–4 feet in diameter with curiously twisted and curled, heavily veined grass green segments. Adult palms are extremely graceful due to the nature of the crown and the rather thin trunk.

Horticulture

This palm is extremely rare in cultivation. However, because it will grow to some elevation and tolerate drier conditions, it is expected to thrive in subtropical climates and favorable warm temperate climates, tolerating an occasional light frost. It is tolerant of limerock and coastal exposure.

References

parviflora Endemic flora of Jamaica Trees of Jamaica {{tree-stub