Small Palm Trees With Thorns

Palms are shrubs or trees that belong to the Arecaceae, or Palmae family. There are about 3,000 species within the family. In general, they have characteristically large leaves. While palms can grow across a broad range of climates and habitats, many of the species thrive in tropical and sub-tropical locations. A great number of palms have thorns, needles or saw-like teeth.

The Macarthur Palm, Ptychosperma macarthurii, is considered a small palm, usually growing no more than 10 to 15 feet in height, though it can reach up to 30 feet, given the right conditions. The Macarthur has a very slim trunk with gray rings and flat, broad leaves. The Macarthur grows best in the very warmest of the USDA hardiness zones, from zone 10b to 11. Because of its small size, the Macarthur can grow well in a container, planted indoors or on a patio. When fully grown, its foliage can spread from six to 10 feet across. Individual leaves measure eigth to 12 inches in length and have parallel veins running down their length. The Macarthur has small white or gray flowers and small, round, red fruit, measuring 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. The Macarthur's thorns do make it slightly unwieldly; however, it requires little pruning. The Macarthur is highly adaptable, growing well in full sun or partial shade. It can grow in clay, sand or loam soils, provided the soil is well-drained.

The Salak Palm, Salacca zalacca or Salacca magnifica, is a relatively small palm, composed almost entirely of its extremely long, undivided leaves. Instead of a proper trunk, the Salak has a cluster of these leaves, which can grow up to 20 feet in length. Along the length of the "leaves," the Salak has extremely large and sharp spines. Native to Borneo, the Salak grows best in very warm, subtropical environments, making Florida's southernmost parts one of the few areas in the continental United States where it will thrive. One advantage of growing the Salak is the tasty fruit it produces.

The Mediterranean fan palm, Chamaerops humilis, is quite small and slow-growing, reaching heights of five to 15 feet. At an age of 10 to 15 years old, the palm usually reaches no higher than eight feet, making it an ideal option for indoor planting or container planting on patios. The Mediterranean Fan Palm has tooth-like spikes along its thin petioles, the stem-like structures that connect its leaves to the main trunk. The main trunk has a fuzzy appearance. The Mediterranean Fan Palm is relatively winter-hardy, native to the Mediterranean and resilient to temperatures down to the mid-teens. It thrives in full or partial sun and requires relatively little maintenance.