PALMS AND CYCADS, Continued 
S. Yapa. Atwood Sabal. Sub-tropical. Cuba. One of 
the Cuban species, this Sabal is distinguished by 
its magnificent head of foliage. Very large, dark 
green above and bluish-green below, the leaves 
are gracefully recurved. The trunk is smaller 
than most of the species, and the petioles of the 
leaves persist throughout the life of the palm. 
THRINAX [19] argentea. (Coccothrinax argentea.) 
Thatch palm. Sub-tropical. W. Indies. Lovely 
dwarf fan-leaved palm, makes a handsome pot or 
tub plant while small, and thrives out of doors in 
any shaded situation. Invaluable for patio use 
and is very decorative, especially interplanted 
with ferns or azaleas. 
WASHINGTONIA [20] robusta. Thread Palm. 
Hardy. California and Arizona. This hardy, fan¬ 
leaved palm is particularly suited to Florida and 
the Gulf Coast regions. Of rapid growth, it 
thrives in thin soils and is especially recommended 
for the sandy sections of the state. Quite distinct 
from the Palmettos, it forms a heavy trunk, 
crowned by a compact head of fan leaves, copi¬ 
ously furnished with white threads, from whence 
it derives its common name. 
Rare and Unusual Varieties 
We have a number of varieties of palms in small 
numbers of each, on which we will be glad to quote 
collectors on application. 
CYCADS 
This interesting group, though not Palms, is in¬ 
valuable in the Florida landscape and, since they 
more closely resemble the palms than any other 
group, are included in this section. Commonly in- 
tcrplanted with palms they are regarded by the 
majority as members of that family but they are 
really a distinct order, being the most primitive of 
the living gymnosperms. 
Those listed are the ones best adapted to Florida 
conditions. 
CYCAS [21] circinalis. Queen Sago or Fern Palm. 
Tropical. East India. Undoubtedly the most beau¬ 
tiful of the species, of fairly rapid growth, when 
planted in partial shade soon produces a crown of 
broad, waxy, fernlike leaves, attaining in a ma¬ 
ture specimen a length of from six to eight feet. 
Grows well in full sun but the leaves are not so 
long. Should be protected from cold winds. 
C. revoluta. Sago Palm. Hardy. Japan. So well 
known as to require little description. While quite 
slow in growth this Sago attains a height of 8 to 
10 feet. The stiff, fernlike leaves appear as if 
waxed and are borne in a crown at the top of the 
trunk. From 3 to 5 feet long the leaves form a 
complete circular mound of lovely green. Splendid 
for lawn planting, the Sago is also recommended 
as a tub specimen, and takes kindly to house 
culture. 
DION [22] edule. Sub-tropical. Mexico. Quite 
rare in Florida, this Cycad has very stiff, almost 
horizontal leaves forming a wide circle at the 
apex of the trunk. Light green, very rigid and 
not so waxy as the other forms, the pinnae are 
notched at the ends. When grown in conserva¬ 
tories among ferns and “damp house” plants it 
has a much softer appearance and a decided 
bluish cast. Large plants are exceedingly rare and 
seen only in the finest collections. 
ZAMIA [23] umbrosa. (Zamia pumila.) Hardy. 
Native. Flourishing in the heavier soils of the 
state, the umbrosa has erect leaves, with the 
larger individual leaflets which are somewhat 
toothed at the end. It sometimes reaches a height 
of 3 feet. 
Sabal palmetto framed between Date Palms 
9 
