Nannorrhops ritchieana

Until recently, finding seed of this Afghanistan/Pakistan native proved nearly as difficult as finding Osama, although killing a nannorrhops is far easier. This very slow-growing, grey-green foliaged desert palm is one of the most sought-after plants by palm collectors. This is not the non-hardy powder blue form which was mistakenly lumped by herbarium taxonomists into this species. When established, plants resemble a slow trunking sabal to 4' in 10 years. We have found it marginally hardy into the single digits, so a protected but very sunny spot is best. This palm does not like any shade.