It likes to grow epiphytically on Sabal palmetto. "Sabal palmetto" grows up to . Occasional trees include slash pine ("Pinus" "elliottii") and cabbage palm ("Sabal palmetto"). The train drew its name from the "Sabal palmetto", the state tree of South Carolina. The larvae feed on "Sabal palmetto", "Sabal causiarum" and "Cocos nucifera". "Sabal palmetto" trunks appear in two different conditions, which can be confusing (see photo). "Sabal palmetto" is the state tree of both Florida and South Carolina. The palm trees are the more cold-hardy varieties like the state tree, the "Sabal palmetto".