Copernicia cowelii

 

The smallest of the copernicias, only growing to about 7 feet. Its rare and  extremely difficult to grow for it comes from the serpentine soils of Cuba which would be toxic to most plants. That being said however, it could be extremely interesting if coaxed to grow in your garden, for its slender trunk is seldom seen being covered with a stiff, dense, compact skirt of overlapping fronds which are so silvery waxy in appearance that it looks like it could be scraped off with a spoon. It is drought tolerant and must have extremely fast draining soil and needs full sun.