Panama hat palm (Carludovica palmata)

One of the most sought-after tropicals and tender perennials is the Carludovica palmata or Panama hat palm. The plant has palm-like green leaves that can grow to about 3 feet long. Despite of the palm in its name, Panama hat palm is actually not a palm; rather, it belongs to the family of flowering plants called Cyclanthaceae. Panama hat palm can reach 1-3 m height showing above-the-ground short stem.

The name Panama hat originated from the Europeans because of their very first export activities for hats through Panama to California during the gold rush in the year 1849. The beautiful leaves of the Panama hat palm are used for Panama hats. It usually needs 6 young and long leaves to be collected in order to make 1 Panama hat. However there are written materials saying that Panama hat palm leaves are actually used for hats in Ecuador and not in Panama. The Panama hat plant is suitable for growing in containers and are commonly planted as a tropical landscape plant.

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