PALMAE 



81 



Fig. 21. Rhal^idophylluin in swamp of Murder Creek, southwest 

 of Evergreen, Conecuh County. December 17, 1905. 



RHAPIDOPHYLLUM, Wendland & Drude. 



fOnl}- one species) 



Rhapidophyllum Hystrix (Pursh) \V. & D. (Xeedle Palm) 



(Map 11. Fig. 21) 



This has foliage much Hke Sabal minor, but a short thick erect 

 trunk thickly covered with long sharp erect spines, whence its 

 name. The flowers and fruit must be very rare, for I have never 

 seen them. 



Around Evergreen twenty years ago this palm was being- 

 exterminated by the evergreen shippers, who dug up "crowns" of 

 it (i. e.. the bunch of leaves without roots), stuck them in pots 

 or vases, and shipped them north to decorate the homes of rich 

 people for a few days or weeks and then wither. ( I could not 

 find any of it there in the spring of 192T.) It is occasionally cul- 

 tivated for ornament, in Montgomery and elsewhere. 



It grows in rich damp, especially calcareous, woods in the 

 southern half of the state, sometimes with Sahal minor, but usuallv 



