Attalea insignis

Attalea (at-tahl-EH-ah) insignis (in-SIG-niss)
Brazil. Photo by Fernando Tiberio
Scientific Classification
Genus: Attalea (at-tahl-EH-ah) Species: insignis (in-SIG-niss)
Synonyms
Maximiliana insignis , Scheelea insignis.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Cunambo ruya - Quichua.

Habitat and Distribution

Attalea insignis is found in Western part of the Amazon basin in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil.

Singapore.

In Ecuador it is infrequent on poorly drained soil and in periodically flooded areas E of the Andes. It is rarely observed outside the forest, although it has been reported to be weedy in other parts of its distributional range. (Borchsenius, F. 1998)/Palmweb.

Description

Morphology: Subcanopy palm. Stem short and subterranean, rarely aerial, then short and covered with persistent leaf bases. Leaves erect, 5-7 m long; pinnae numerous, arranged in groups and pointing in all directions, the central ones 50-100 cm long and 1-4 cm wide, with very prominent, wavy cross veins. Inflorescence erect, 70-80 cm long; branches 25-30, to 20 cm long. Male flowers pale yellow with club shaped, 10-15 mm long petals, and 6 stamens. Female flowers 1-4 per branch, to 15-20 mm long petals, and 6 stamens. Female flowers 1-4 per branch, to 15-20 mm long. Fruits one per branch, orange, with a cinnamon, scale-like indument, acute, 7-8 cm long, with 2-3 seeds. (Borchsenius, F. 1998)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.

Special note: Attalea are known to have more than one seedling per seed, on occasion. (Borchsenius, F. 1998)/Palmweb.

Culture

requires warm, sheltered position. Doesn't mind poor drainage.