Aphandra natalia

Aphandra (ahf-AHN-drah) natalia (nah-tah-LEE-ah)
Ecuador. Staminate inflorescence. Photo by Dr. Andrew J. Henderson/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Aphandra (ahf-AHN-drah) Species: natalia (nah-tah-LEE-ah)
Synonyms
Was Ammandra natalia.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Tagua Palm

Habitat and Distribution

West part of the Amazon basin in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil,on terra firme and on periodically inundated river banks.

Yasuni National Park, Orellana, Ecuador. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

Description

Stem solitary, to 10 m tall, about 20 cm in diameter. Leaves to 6 m long, sometimes with the axis twisting and the distal part of leaf blade held in a vertical position; sheaths with numerous dark-brown fibres at their margins; leaf axis with numerous black scales, especially below; pinnae 90-120 on each side, regularly arranged in one plane, the central ones to 1 m long, 4-6 cm wide. Male inflorescence pendulous, to 2 m long, yellowish brown. Female inflorescence compact, about 25 cm long, cream coloured at anthesis. Infructescence 30-45 cm in diameter, borne on a 20-30 cm long peduncle; fruits 30-50 per infructescence, brown. (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)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b

Comments and Curiosities

Phenology: Aphandra natalia does not appear to have a sharply delimited flowering season. It often produces multiple inflorescences and flowers continuously throughout the year, although with varying intensity and with a peak in February and March. Initial flowering occurs five years after germination (Borgtoft Pedersen & Balslev, 1990; Barfod, 1991). Several weeks prior to anthesis temperatures of staminate and pistillate inflorescences rise 10—19 °C above ambient temperature. The heating is most pronounced in pistillate inflorescences immediately before anthesis and the temperature rise persists in the pistillate inflorescence for at least a week. The temperature increase is less dramatic and of shorter duration in staminate inflorescences, and lasts a shorter period of time after anthesis. The odours emitted from staminate and pistillate inflorescences resemble each other in scent chemistry, mainly consisting of a pyrazine based compound (2-methoxy-3-secbutylpyrazine), that has a strong heavy odour, unpleasant to humans, but thought to be a key factor in attracting specific pollinator species. The splitting of inflorescence bracts, which is the initial indication of anthesis, varies between sexes. Staminate inflorescences open during the day while pistillate inflorescences open during the night. (scielo.org.pe)

Uses: The palm heart, inmature endosperm, and inmature mesocarp are eaten by local people. Edible larvae (Rhynchophorus palmarum) are extracted from decaying trunks. Leaves are used for improvised beds and seats in the forest. Fibres are used for fire-starters, torches, and "blowgun-bore cleaners"; the leaf rachis is used for ceremonial head bands and darts. The endosperm is edible when immature, in a liquid or jelly-like state. The most important part of the palm is the fibers from the leaf sheath and petiole. Collection of these fibers was observed near Mendez and Puyo, where local industries used them for broom manufacture. In Ecuador it is exploited commercially for its leaf sheath and petiole fibers, used for brooms, and to a minor degree for its edible fruit. mesocarp.

Certainly the most attractive species of the Ivory Nut Palms. It has a fibre covered trunk, a large shuttlecock-crown and the huge spherical fruiting head can be 18 inches across! The individual fruits are attached to it much as with Pandanus or Nypa. Only recently described and little known in cultivation outside of its native Ecuador. (RPS.com)