Thrinax, from θρῖναξ, is in allusion to the shape of the leaves.
CONSPECTUS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES.
Flowers on elongated pedicels; perianth obscurely lobed; stamens much exserted, their filaments subulate, barely united at base; stigma oblique; cavity of the seed extending to the apex. Perianth obscurely lobed; style abruptly enlarged into a large oblique stigma; leaves silvery white on the lower surface.1. [T. floridana] (D). Perianth deeply lobed; style narrowed gradually into a small oblique stigma; leaves green on both surfaces.2. [T. Wendlandiana] (D). Flowers on short pedicels; lobes of the perianth ovate, acuminate; filaments nearly triangular, united below into a cup; stigma flat; cavity of the seed extending only to the middle. Seeds pale chestnut-brown; spadix about 6° long; leaves 3°—4° in diameter.3. [T. keyensis] (D). Seeds dark chestnut-brown; spadix less than 3° long; leaves not over 2° in diameter.4. [T. microcarpa] (D).
1. [Thrinax floridana] Sarg. Thatch.
Leaves 2½°—3° in diameter, rather longer than broad, yellow-green and lustrous on the upper surface, silvery white on the lower surface, with a long-pointed, bright orange-colored ligule ¾′ long and broad; petioles 4°—4½° long, pale yellow-green or orange color toward the apex, coated at first with hoary deciduous tomentum, much thickened and tomentose toward the base. Flowers: spadix 3°—3½° long, the primary branches 6′—8′ long and ivory-white, flower-bearing branches 1½′—2′ in length; flowers on slender pedicels nearly ⅛′ long, ivory-white, very fragrant, with an obscurely-lobed perianth, much exserted stamens barely united at the base, and a large stigma. Fruit ⅜′ in diameter, somewhat depressed at the ends; seed from ⅛′ to nearly ¼′ in diameter, dark chestnut-brown.
A tree, with a slightly tapering stem 20°—30° high and 4′—6′ in diameter, clothed to the middle and occasionally almost to the ground with the sheaths of dead leaf-stalks.
Distribution. Florida, dry coral ridges and sandy shores of keys from Long Key to Torch Key, and on the mainland from Cape Romano to Cape Sable.
2. [Thrinax Wendlandiana] Becc. Thatch.
