Coccothrinax torrida

From Palmpedia - Palm Grower's Guide
Jump to: navigation, search
Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks) torrida (tohr-REE-dah)
Coccothrinax torrida05.jpg
South-eastern coast of the Guantanamo province. Photo by Carlo Morici.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks)
Species: torrida (tohr-REE-dah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Southeastern Cuba. Endemic. Coccothrinax torrida is native to Cuba, where it occurs
South-eastern coast of the Guantanamo province. Photo by Carlo Morici.
only on one isolated karst limestone mountain, located on South-eastern coast of the Guantanamo province. The climate is semidesertic, with 9 to 10 dry months. Records for a close by area report 28° C annual average temperature and 412 mm of rainfall. It is restricted to the steep limestone cliffs that are virtually soil-less. The vegetation surrounding the palm is a xeromorphic open scrub, rich in low spiny shrubs, succulents and lianas. According to IUCN categories, the new taxon is vulnerable. The habitat shows little sign of alteration, but population size is small, the species is known from only one location, and the area of occupancy is very restricted. (Carlo Morici)

Description

Coccothrinax torrida is one of the smallest species in the genus in terms of trunk and leaf size. The leaves are semi-orbicular, with a wedge-shaped outline and have an uneven coating of white wax on the upper surface. The palman (the undivided part of a palmate leaf between the petiole and segments of the blade, of particular pertinence to leaves of fan palms) is characteristic in being small, and brightly colored, with thick yellow ribs on the adaxial side, ending in a thicker sinus with a brown scar. The palman is also irregular, as the central two segments are often more deeply divided than the others. The fibre sheaths and inflorescences are similar to C. pauciramosa, which we consider the most closely related species. The inflorescences are long, emergent and little-branched. They change colour as fruits and flowers mature (yellow-green-white). The flowers are creamy-white and scented at anthesis. The fruits are small, with smooth, creamy-white epicarps. The seeds are small and have few grooves. (Carlo Morici)

Culture

Little is known on its culture. Seeds germinated in 5-6 months and produced four leaves in their first year. The habitat suggest warm-subtropical to tropical conditions, a highly draining substrate and full sun since an early age. It is probably slow and surely suited to hot, coastal conditions. (Carlo Morici) Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: The specific epithet (species name): Torrida, from the Latin, torrid or torridus, because of the extremely hot temperatures where this palm lives.

Coccotrinax palms are the largest palm genus of the Caribbean, and most are found in Cuba.



External Links

Southeastern

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

Banner1B
Back to Palm Encyclopedia


Retrieved from "https://palmpedia.net/wiki/index.php5?title=Coccothrinax_torrida&oldid=135300"