AMAZòNIA Files

Acoelorraphe wrightii

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:47:02 +0100

Acoelorraphe wrightii

Common names
Paurotis Palm, Silver Saw Palm, Everglades Palm.

Curiosities
Leaves are used for roof thatching, and tender shoots can be eaten. Named after Charles Wright, American botanist of the 19th century.

Origin
Florida (USA), West Indies, Central America (Honduras, Guatemala…).

Habitat
Everglades of Florida, the big marshy extensions at the south continental Florida. Low sandy areas, or areas flooded with fresh or salty water.

Morphology
A clumping palm, with many stems 3 to 8 m high covered with brown fibres. Palmate leaves, bright green above, silvery grey below, with pointed and forked segments. The slender and ramified interfoliar inflorescences bear creamy hermaphrodite flowers. Small, round, orange-coloured fruits.

Climate
Tropical, subtropical, temperate. Plants will survive in Mediterranean climate. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to -5.5ºC (22.2ºF, USDA Zone 9a).

Germination
Seeds germinate quickly and easy.

Growing
Prefers full sunlight (even when young), but tolerates some shade. Moist soil conditions are best; tolerates drought conditions but grows slowly there. Extensively cultivated. Tolerates coast conditions and once established is highly resistant. Can be used as indoor plant when young.

Acrocomia aculeata

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:42:00 +0100

Acrocomia aculeata

Common names
Spincy Royal Palm, Macauba Palm, Grugru Palm.

Curiosities
Leaves are used to make carpets, curtains and hats. The apical bud can be eaten. In Honduras, plants are cut down to extract a sweet syrup, which is fermented into an alcoholic drink called palm wine. Oil can be extracted from seeds.

Origin
One of the more extended palms, from Mexico to Argentina, through Brazil, Paraguay and West Indies.

Habitat
Bushy steppes and degraded forests. Generally, in areas of high seasonal rain. From small altitudes to 1200 meters in the Andes.

Morphology
Ten to 30 grey-green pinnate leaves, with a whitish underside. The leaflets are arranged in different ranks giving to the plant a feathery appearance. The flowers are unisexual, but both male and female flowers are found in a same inflorescence. Fruits have a smooth surface, and are green-yellowish when ripe. Very hard seed.

Climate
Tropical to warm temperate. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to -3,9ºC (25ºF, USDA Zone 9b).

Germination
Seed germination is usually slow and difficult. It is recommended to make a cut on the seed cover (without damaging the inside) and to keep seeds in warm water.

Growing
Not recommended for gardens, since it has many spines that encircle the trunk.

Acrocomia krispa

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:31:53 +0100

Acrocomia quisqueyana

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:30:04 +0100

Acrocomia totai

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:28:48 +0100