Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Palm) |
| Maximum Height | 4.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Cuba |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Desert / Arid |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Copernicia macroglossa has a solitary trunk which can grow to 4.5 m tall, in cultivation. Younger plants are covered in dried leaves, forming a dense petticoat, where the palm appears stemless. The dried leaves slowly falls off as the palm matures, revealing a smooth slender stem. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are fan shaped (about 2 – 3 m wide each) with a very short leaf stalk, and spirally arranged on the stem. Leaves are green above and grayish green on the underside. Parts of the leaves segment margins are armed with tiny teeth. A long distinct hastula protrudes from the top of the leaf at the juncture of leaf blade and leaf stalk. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence, comprising of many creamish yellow tiny flowers, is at least 1.8 m long and protrudes out of the leaves significantly. |
| Fruit | Fruit ripens black and is 1.3 cm wide. |
| Etymology | The genus is named after the famous polish astromomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) who proposed that the sun was the centre of the universe. The specific epithet in latin means large tongue, in reference to the large leaves. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It can tolerate poor and infertile soil. |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Dry Soils / Drought |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 29536 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3845 |
| 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. |
