Socratea rostrata

Socratea (sohc-rah-TEH-ah) rostrata (roh-STRAH-tah)
Mt. Warning Caldera Nth NSW Australia. Photo by Pete.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Socratea (sohc-rah-TEH-ah) Species: rostrata (roh-STRAH-tah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Gualte Stilt Root Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Premontane forest on both sides of the Andes in Colombia and Ecuador.

Mt. Warning Caldera Nth NSW Australia. Photo by Pete.

The species usually becomes abundant suddenly in a certain (variable) altitudinal zone; its distribution appears to be linked to frequent occurence of fog. Montane forests at elevations from 1,000 - 1,400 metres.

Description

Socratea rostrata is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm growing up to 25 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be up to 13cm in diameter; it is supported at the base bu an open cone of 15 - 26 stilt roots; and topped by a crown of 4 - 7 long leaves. (Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas by Dr's Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.)

Plants from the two sides of the Andes and from different elevations have been considered to belong to separate species, based on differences in the structure and size of pinnae and inflorescence branches. (Borchsenius F., Borgtoft-Pedersen H. and Baslev H. 1998. Manual to the Palms of Ecuador. AAU Reports 37. Department of Systematic Botany, University of Aarhus, Denmark in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Catalica del Ecuador) Editing by edric.

Plants from the two sides of the Andes and from different elevations have been considered to belong to separate species, based on differences in the structure and size of pinnae and inflorescence branches. (Borchsenius F., Borgtoft-Pedersen H. and Baslev H. 1998. Manual to the Palms of Ecuador. AAU Reports 37. Department of Systematic Botany, University of Aarhus, Denmark in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Catalica del Ecuador)

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: Palm heart edible. Wood used for house construction. Spiny stilt roots used as kitchen tool to grade manioc and plantain. Seeds are eaten when young and soft. Stems are used for posts and floors and the spiny stilt roots serve as grinders for plantains.

The tallest of the Socratea, this elegant species can reach a height of 25 m (82 ft.). The slender, smooth trunk is supported by a cone of strong stilt roots and carries a magnificent,long, bluish-gray crownshaft which holds a few, lushly plumose, spreading, dark green leaves. The large leaflets are up to 90 cm (35 in.) long and divided into several broad, wedge-shaped segments with jagged tips. It is native to montane rainforests between 1000 and 1400 m (3300 and 4600 ft.) in the Amazonian foothills of the Andes in Ecuador and Colombia. In cultivation it will do best in a humid, mild tropical climate. (RPS.com)