Copernicia cowellii

Copernicia (koh-pehr-nee-SEE-ah) cowellii (cow-ell'-ee)
In habitat. Photo-Rare Palm Seeds.com
Scientific Classification
Genus: Copernicia (koh-pehr-nee-SEE-ah) Species: cowellii (cow-ell'-ee)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Costapalmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Dwarf Jata Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Copernicia cowellii is endemic to Camagüey Province in Eastern Cuba. In

Cuba, photo by Paul Craft.

serpentine soils of the savannah.

Description

This very slow growing palm, and is the smallest palm from the Copernicia genus. It has a single trunk and large, flat, fan shaped leaves, with waxy, stiff, green fronds, that are whitish underneath, and the dead leaves form a skirt below the crown. Erect trunk, usually no taller than 2.5 m. Very short petioles. Leaf lamina is rigid and rounded, and has a grey and waxy underside. Leaflets with unarmed margins and blunt apex. The dead fronds persist and hang as a curtain covering much of the trunk. Black fruits. Editing by edric.

Culture

Mild subtropical. Needs full sun, and well-drained soil. Drought tolerant. Very slow growing.

Comments and Curiosities

A truly unique dwarf palm from savanna on serpentine soils in eastern Cuba. Despite its small size -- it rarely grows more than 2 m (7 ft.) tall -- it is an absolutely stunning palm with a very distinctive character that, once seen, is never forgotten. The leathery fan leaves are a fresh, yellowish green above and waxy white below. The leaf stalk is so short that the individual leaves are hard to tell from each other and appear more as a mass of spiky leaflets that form a very compact crown. The dead leaves form a skirt below the crown. Copernicia cowellii demands a place in full sun on free draining soil. It is best adapted to dry tropical climates but will also do well under most warm temperate conditions. It is tolerant of drought and light freezes. (RPS.com)