This beautiful feather palm has long fronds that arch and recurve towards the ground from atop a thick stout trunk. The trunk can grow to 20’, but normally reaches 12’-15’ with a diameter of 1’-1½’. Typically, the old leaf stalks persist for years, although specimens with clean trunks are not uncommon. Leaves range from light green to bluish gray. The palm produces light orange fruits (often called pindo dates in the deep south). These palms vary in form. Specimens raised in dry and/or infertile soils tend to be smaller in stature with smaller leaves. Light also affects the plant’s form -- those grown in full sun are more compact. The orange fruits are edible and widely used to make a delicious jelly, thus the name.
Grown regularly in zone 8, this palm has been proven to survive 0° F. when heavily mulched and protected. Generally considered safe to grow in zone 7 if heavily protected, it is suspected it could survive zone 6 under certain conditions.