THE WORLD'S LARGEST PALM & CYCAD SHOW & SALE

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TWO PAGE PRESS RELEASE

from

THE SOUTH FLORIDA PALM SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2003

Contact:          Howard Waddell

                        305-666-0476

THE WORLD'S LARGEST PALM SHOW & SALE

SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 22 AND 23.

The South Florida Palm Society will hold its annual Spring Palm Show & Sale at Fairchild Tropical Garden on Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

The Palm Sale, which began in 1979, started with only a handful of growers selling just a few dozen species of palms. At this year’s sale, there will be hundreds of interesting and rare species of palms not normally available from retail nurseries. Also being sold will be many species of cycads, one of the oldest of all plant families and fodder for the dinosaurs. Additionally, free seeds from many unusual palm species will be distributed to shoppers.

The South Florida Palm Society's sales are the largest palm sales in the world, attracting not only local homeowners but collectors and hobbyists from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It is estimated that over 10,000 palms will be available for purchase. These will include plants suitable for home and office interiors, screened patios, shady outdoor locations, and gardens receiving full sun.

Among the palms being sold will be the brilliant “red sealing wax palm” (Cyrtostachys renda) from Malaysia, the beer-bellied “bottle palm” (Hyophorbe lagenicaulis) from the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean, the stately Bailey palm (Copernicia baileyana) and hairy “old man palm” (Coccothinax crinita) from Cuba, and a variety of coconut palms. As always, palms native to South Florida will be available. Growers at the sale will be ready to help shoppers select the right plants for their specific needs and budgets.

The South Florida Palm Society's goals are to gather and disseminate information about palms to the public and encourage interest in and the use of palms in the landscape. As a not-for-profit corporation, the Society helps support palm research, public landscaping projects, and other educational and community activities relating to palms. Receipts from this sale will help fund these projects.

Fairchild Tropical Garden, one of the world’s preeminent tropical botanical gardens, is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables. Garden admission is $10. Palm purchases are for cash or check only.

Sandwiches, salads, fruit, desserts, and beverages will be available to visitors at the Garden Café which is adjacent to the sale area.

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