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Copernicia baileyana
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Copernicia fallaense, Copernicia baileyana var. laciniosa León |
| Common Name: | Yarey, Yarey Hembra, Yareyon, Bailey Palm, Yarey Palm, Giant Yarey Palm, Cuban Wax Palm, Carnauba Wax Palm, Bailey’s Copernicia |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 20 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Cuba, Hispaniola |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A stunning, large slow-growing palm tree with columnar, smooth concrete grey trunk and a huge crown of numerous fan-shaped leaves. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Stem smooth, grey, with remnants of dead fronds and leaf bases at the top. |
| Flowers | Flowers cream-coloured, arching from crown in branches, up to 2.1 m long. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Leaves: Leaves palmate, circular to diamond-shaped, 1.5 m wide & long, rigid with waxy deep green segmentation above, grayish green below, margins strongly toothed, curving upward, on petioles 90 cm long, broad at the base with backward-pointing spines; leaf sheath extends inside the frond for 5 to 13 cm. Fruit: Fruits round to oval, 1.8 to 2.5cm long, dark brown to black when ripe; seeds round, fairly wrinkled. |
| Cultivation | It is highly tolerant of poor soils & dry conditions, but prefers moist, well-drained soils & with good fertility. Propagated by seeds. Germination ranges from 4 to 12 weeks. Caution: Plant has spines or sharp edges; handle with care & caution. |
| Etymology | The genus was named after the famous Polish astronomer Copernicus (1473 – 1543). The species was named in honour of Liberty Hyde Bailey (1858 – 1954), who was among the world’s foremost botanists, horticulturists and palm experts. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Brown |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29097 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3410 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
