Cryosophila kalbreyeri

Cryosophila (kry-oh-soh-FEE-lah) kalbreyeri (kahl-bree-ehr'-ee)
Quinido Botanical Gardens, near Armenia, Colombia. Photo by Stephen Villiers.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Cryosophila (kry-oh-soh-FEE-lah) Species: kalbreyeri (kahl-bree-ehr'-ee)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Costapalmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Palmicha (Colombia). Barbasco Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Cryosophila kalbreyeri is found in Colombia, and Panamá. native to rainforest in

This palm has a very restricted distribution, which extends only through Panama and northwestern Colombia. It is listed as an endangered species. Photo by Mateo Hernandez.

southern Panama and northwestern Colombia between 300 and 1200 m (1000 and 3900 ft.).

Description

Its very slender trunk can reach 5 m (16 ft.) tall, but usually stays smaller. The circular, fan-shaped leaves are pale glossy green above, and silvery white below.

Culture

Tropical or warm temperate climates, species is rather slow growing.

Comments and Curiosities

There are two subspecies; Cryosophila kalbreyeri subsp. cogolloi (Colombia only), and Cryosophila kalbreyeri subsp. kalbreyeri (Colombia, and Panamá).

Etymology: The plant is named after the Victorian plant collector, Guillermo Kalbreyer.

One of the smallest root spine palms, this species is native to rainforest in southern Panama and northwestern Colombia between 300 and 1200 m (1000 and 3900 ft.). Its very slender trunk can reach 5 m (16 ft.) tall but usually stays smaller. The circular, fan-shaped leaves are pale glossy green above and silvery white below. It is very rarely seen in cultivation but will do well in tropical and many warm temperate climates, though it is rather slow growing. (RPS.com)