Reinhardtia paiewonskiana

Common names

Giant Window Pane Palm.

Curiosities

Reinhardt is a Danish family, with several notable botanists during the 19th century. The palm is named after C.H. Reinhardt, Zoology professor in  Copenhagen University, and after B. Paiewonsky. The only species of this genus that grows in an island.

Origin

Habitat

Grows in places of difficult approach, always in small populations in moist forests, sometimes at high altitudes, between 800 and 1200 meters above sea level. Has only been found in Bahoruco Mountains.

Morphology

A solitary palm. This is the tallest species of the genus, with a trunk 6 to 121 meters high. It has a round crownshaft. Leaves have around 110 segments 70 by 3.5 cm. Globular, sometimes ovoid, fruits, becoming black when ripe.

Climate

Germination

Seed germination can be slow and sporadic.

Growing

Good as a pot plant and in shaded gardens. Prefers shelter from wind, and a rich, well-drained soil. Rare in cultivation.