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Glite Dictionary
key palm

key palm

7.2
A small fan-shaped tree that grows in southern Florida and Cuba
  • noun
  • /ki pɑlm/
  • US
translation icon : palma de key
  • The key palm can be recognized by its distinctive fan-shaped leaves.

Examples

  • We spotted several key palms growing near the beach on our trip to Cuba.

  • The key palm is well adapted to the coastal winds of Florida.

  • Some botanists study the unique characteristics of the key palm.

  • The key palm thrives in warm climates.

  • Have you seen a key palm before?

  • In southern Florida, the key palm is commonly used in landscaping due to its tropical appearance.

  • Tourists often take pictures of the tall key palms that line the beaches in Cuba.

Synonyms

Thrinax morrisii
vskey palm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small fan palm with a short, thick trunk that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

is the general name rather than a species label
Thrinax microcarpa
vskey palm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small palm with fan-shaped leaves that grows near the coasts of southern Florida and Cuba

is the broader common label rather than the species name
silvertop palmetto
vskey palm
  • US
9.1

A small fan palm with silvery leaves that grows in southern Florida and Cuba

focuses on the general stocky fan form without noting leaf color
Thrinax keyensis
vskey palm
  • Specialized
9.9

A small palm with a thin trunk and fan-shaped leaves that grows near coasts

describes a stockier build instead of a slender trunk
silver thatch
vskey palm
  • US
9.9

A small palm tree with silvery leaves

limits the native range to southern Florida and Cuba and fan form

How Tall

palm tree
46 1.0
key palm
  • US
7.2

Surface Forms

key palm singular
key palms plural

Morphology

key + palm

The compound combines 'key' (small island) and 'palm' (palm tree) to denote a palm associated with the Keys, so the species meaning is directly inferable from its constituents. This noun+noun compositional pattern (location/association + plant) is common cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably guess the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun key palm comes from the Florida 'Keys', meaning 'small islands', where this short, fan-shaped palm grows, so key points to the islands and palm means the tree.