Editing Rhapidophyllum (section)

==Cultivation and uses==
[[Image:Rhapidophyllum hystrix.jpg|thumb|Cultivated plant, with the ends of the leaves cut off and showing the stem needles]]
The needle palm is very popular among palm enthusiasts in [[temperate climate]]s for its ability to tolerate modest cold. Some reports have claimed survival of temperatures as low as {{convert|-15|F|C|disp=flip}} with heavy damage, but with the palm recovering. More realistic estimates are closer to {{convert|-5|F|C|disp=flip}} with foliar damage. Recovery of winter damage of needle palms is much more precarious in climates with cool summers like the [[Pacific Northwest]] and [[Northwestern Europe|northwestern]] [[Europe]].<ref name=ereeere>Miami University, Ohio: [http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2002/ohio.htm Cincinnati area hardy palm research]</ref>

In the United States, needle palms are reliably cultivated along the East Coast from [[Florida]] to [[Connecticut]], and along the entire West Coast from southern [[California]] to [[Washington (state)|Washington]]. Across the interior of the USA, large well-established specimens have been growing in [[Tennessee]], the southern [[Ohio River|Ohio Valley]], and [[Washington, D.C.|Washington, DC]] at the [[United States National Arboretum]] since the 1960s. It is the most popular landscaping palms in the [[Chesapeake Bay]] area of [[Maryland]]. Needle palms need hot summers to thrive and the species does not grow well in the cool summer climates.<ref name=uiuiuiuiuiu>Floridata: [http://www.floridata.com/ref/r/rhapido.cfm Needle Palm]</ref>
[[File:NeedlePalmJLBG.jpg|left|thumb|A very mature ''Rhapidophyllum hystrix'' growing at [[Juniper Level Botanic Gardens|Juniper Level Botanic Garden]] in Garner, NC]]
[[File:Needle Palm - National Arboretum.jpg|thumb|Needle Palm at the U.S. National Arboretum ]]

The needle palm is considered to be commercially exploited and therefore [[threatened species|threatened]]. When purchasing this palm, it is wise to purchase it only from a reputable dealer, as some unscrupulous dealers harvest them directly from the wild.<ref name="ereeere" /><ref name="uiuiuiuiuiu" />