Colpothrinax wrightii

Common names

Cuban Belly Palm, Cuban Bottle Palm, Barrel Palm, Pot-bellied Palm.

Curiosities

The trunks are used to make canoes and barrels and also characteristic columns. The leaves are used to make huts and the fruits as animal food.

Origin

Cuba.

Habitat

Acid soils, periodically inundated.

Morphology

A single trunk with scars, and an unusual swelling near the centre of the trunk. Leaves slightly costapalmate, with a bluish or greyish-green colour. Globular fruits, brown or black.

Climate

Germination

Seeds can germinate in around 2 months.

Growing

Requires a sunny, moist, but well-drained position.