Difference between revisions of "Copernicia prunifera"

Revision as of 05:01, 13 September 2015

Pronunciation: coe-purr-KNEE-see-uh pru-NIFF-err-uh

Common Name: Carnauba Wax Palm

Copernicia prunifera is thought by some to be a grey, waxier form of Copernicia alba, and indeed to two are very similar in appearance and cultivation. However, still most consider them separate species. This species is only found in Brazil while Copernicia alba is found in multiple South American countries. It is a very attractive bluish solitary fan palm with economic value (source of wax for surf boards etc.) as well as decorative. It is one of the hardiest of the Copernicia and can be grown in many areas of California that have good heat and minimal freezing events.

Synonym: Copernicia cerifera

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 20-40 fan leaves
Height: 20'
Trunk: single; 8" thick; smooth and grey with age, but initially covered with blackish, spiny, un-split leaf bases for years, particularly on lower trunk which is sometimes never smooth
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 8'
Leaf Description: palmate; 4' long; blades covered in a wax giving leaves a glaucous coloration; blades divided half their length; leaflets very skinny but stiff enough to barely droop at all; leaves upright to horizontal, then die (but sometimes a dense skirt of dead leaves will remain, often still held at horizontal, rather than drooping)
Petiole/Leaf bases: 18" long; light green to pale bluish green with a yellow stripe up the center ventral surface; mildly channeled to nearly flat on top; heavily armed with black, crooked teeth 1/2" long and sharp; un-split leaf bases, often retained on trunk for years
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence:
Fruit:

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 26F
Drought Tolerance: good
Dry Heat Tolerance: very good
Wind Tolerance: good
Salt Tolerance: moderate
Growth Rate: slow
Soil Preference: adaptable
Light Requirement: full sun
Human Hazards: very spiny petioles
Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
Transplants?: unknown
Indoor?: unknown
Availability: rare

@@ Line 40: / Line 40: @@
 {{#Widget:AdResBan}}
 <gallery>
+File:Copernicia prunifera matt.jpg|garden of Matt Bradford, San Diego coutny, California
+File:Copernicia prunifera NN.jpg|Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, Thailand
+File:Copernicia prunifera P.jpg|Hawaii, garden of Pauleen Sullivan
+File:Copernicia prunifera Leu.jpg|Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida
+File:Copernicia prunifera.JPG|
+File:Copernicia prunifera top NN.JPG|Nong Nooch Gardens
+File:Copernicia prunifera crown P.jpg|Hawaii
+File:Copernicia prunifera leaf matt.jpg|leaf in California, Bradford garden
+File:Copernicia prunifera matt leaf bases.jpg|
+File:Copernica prunifera wax matt.jpg|waxy leaf in California
+File:Copernicia prunifera trunk P.jpg|
+File:Copernicia prunifera trunk lower.jpg|
 </gallery>
 [[Category: Copernicia]]

Difference between revisions of "Copernicia prunifera"

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor

Revision as of 05:01, 13 September 2015