Key Thatch Palm

Leucothrinax morrisii is a palmate-leaved palm with solitary brown or grey stems 1–11 metres (3–36 ft) tall and 5–35 centimetres (2–14 in) in diameter. Leaves are pale blue-green or yellow-green, whitish on the undersides. Petioles are 27–84 cm (0.9–2.8 ft) long with split petioles. The leaflets are 33–75 cm (1.1–2.5 ft) long and 2.3–4.8 cm (1–2 in) wide. The inflorescences extend beyond the leaves and are 55–100 cm (1.8–3.3 ft) long. The fruit are white, and turn yellow as they mature.

Leucothrinax morrisii is native to the Florida mainland and Keys, the Bahamas, Cuba, Hispaniola (in the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Puerto Rico, Navassa Island, Saint Barthélemy, both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is found in dry, deciduous forests and scrub and coastal areas. In the Florida Keys it grows at the edge of hardwood hammocks and in pinelands, while in Puerto Rico, it is found on cliffs and on limestone and ultramafic ridges. It can tolerate drought, and frequent salt spray.

Stems of the plant are used for poles and the leaves are used for thatch and weaving.

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