PALM.E 99 



triangular, acuminate, and a small stigma. Fruit J'-f ' in diameter, globose; seed from 

 I'- 1' in diameter, dark chestnut-brown. 



A tree, in Florida, with a smooth pale trunk 20-25 high and 3'-4' in diameter. 



Distribution. Florida: Dade County, Madeira Hummock, Pumpkin Key, Flamingo, 

 and northwest of Cape Sable; also in Cuba and on Mugueres Island, Gulf of Honduras. 



3. Thrinax keyensis Sarg. Thatch. 



Leaves rather longer than broad, 3-4 long, the lowest segments parallel with the 

 petiole or spreading from it nearly at right angles, light yellow-green and lustrous on the 

 upper surface, with bright orange-colored margins, below coated while young with decidu- 

 ous hoary tomentum and pale blue-green and more or less covered with silvery white pu- 

 bescence at maturity, with a thick pointed ligule 1' long and wide, lined at first with hoary 

 tomentum; petioles flattened above, obscurely ridged on the lower surface, tomentose 

 while young, pale blue-green, 3-4 long. Flowers: spadix usually about 6 long, spreading 

 and gracefully incurved, with spathes more or less coated with hoary tomentum, large 

 compressed primary branches, and short bright orange-colored flower-bearing branches; 



Fig, 96 



flowers on short thick disk-like pedicels, about |' long, white, slightly fragrant, with a tu- 

 bular perianth, the lobes broadly ovate and acute, stamens with nearly triangular filaments 

 united at the base, and a flat stigma. Fruit iV to nearly ' in diameter; seed brown, iV 

 in diameter. 



A tree, with a stem often 25 high and 10'-14' in diameter, raised on a base of thick 

 matted roots 2-3 high and 18'-20' in diameter, and a broad head of leaves, the upper erect, 

 the lower pendulous and closely pressed against the stem. 



Distribution. Dry, sandy soil close to the beach on the north side of the largest of the 

 Marquesas Keys, and on Crab Key, a small island to the westward of Torch Key, one of 

 the Bahia Honda group, Florida; on the Bahamas. 



4. Thrinax microcarpa Sarg. Silvertop Palmetto. Brittle Thatch. 

 Leaves 2-3 across, pale green above, silvery white below, more or less thickly coated 

 while young with hoary tomentum, especially on the lower surface, divided near the base 

 almost to the rachis, with an orbicular thick concave ligule lined with a thick coat of white 

 tomentum; petioles thin and flexuose. Flowers: spadix elongated, with short, com- 

 pressed erect branches slightly spreading below, numerous slender pendulous flower-bearing 

 branches, and long acute spathes deeply parted at the apex, coriaceous and coated above 

 the middle with thick hoary tomentum; flowers on short thick disk-like pedicels, with a 



