The Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, rarely grows more than 5 to 6 ft tall. It has formal, dark green, palmate leaves arising from a short armed trunk. The leaf sheaths have long, black, needle-like, stiff, sharp spines. The fruit, a red drupe, is preceded by a short, dense inflorescence that is held in close to the trunk. This is a regal native palm that has extreme cold hardiness for central and north Florida and requires moist to average soil (with establishment). Needle Palm naturally grows in low light levels, but can adapt to sunny locations with adequate moisture.