Difference between revisions of "Copernicia fallaensis"

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Image:14523209 692796904218777 5509340019082063798 n.jpg|Copernicia fallaensis, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Photo by Duanny Suárez
 
Image:14523209 692796904218777 5509340019082063798 n.jpg|Copernicia fallaensis, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. Photo by Duanny Suárez
 
Image:Copernicia fallaensis1.jpg|Sonia González and Leonel Mera provide scale for this colossal and spectacular specimen of Copernicia fallaensis in the Jardín Botánico Nacional in Habana, Cuba. It was transplanted to this site from the wild © 2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission. See PalmArbor, http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf and http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/PalmArbor/.
 
Image:Copernicia fallaensis1.jpg|Sonia González and Leonel Mera provide scale for this colossal and spectacular specimen of Copernicia fallaensis in the Jardín Botánico Nacional in Habana, Cuba. It was transplanted to this site from the wild © 2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission. See PalmArbor, http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf and http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/PalmArbor/.
Image:Copernicia fallaensis2.jpg|Duanny Suárez provides scale for this Copernicia fallaensis, a remnant of a once more extensive grove near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. This species typically has a large, straight trunk to 20 m tall topped with leaves nearly four m long and a canopy that can spread for more than eight m across.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis2.jpg|Duanny Suárez provides scale for this Copernicia fallaensis, a remnant of a once more extensive grove near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. This species typically has a large, straight trunk to 20 m tall topped with leaves nearly four m long and a canopy that can spread for more than eight m across. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis3.jpg|The canopy of Copernicia fallaensis typically holds 30 to 40, stiffly ascending to spreading to drooping, waxy grayish, stunning leaves. Jardín Botánico Nacional in Habana.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis3.jpg|The canopy of Copernicia fallaensis typically holds 30 to 40, stiffly ascending to spreading to drooping, waxy grayish, stunning leaves. Jardín Botánico Nacional in Habana. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis4.jpg|Petiole margins of Copernicia fallaensis are coarsely but sharply toothed. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis4.jpg|Petiole margins of Copernicia fallaensis are coarsely but sharply toothed. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis5.jpg|The expansive, mostly flat, ovate-orbicular blades of Copernicia fallaensis are to two m long. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis5.jpg|The expansive, mostly flat, ovate-orbicular blades of Copernicia fallaensis are to two m long. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis6.jpg|Leaf blades of Copernicia fallaensis are divided about one-third to the base into about 120, stiff segments. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis6.jpg|Leaf blades of Copernicia fallaensis are divided about one-third to the base into about 120, stiff segments. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis7.jpg|Adaxially the hastula of Copernicia fallaensis is nine cm long. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis7.jpg|Adaxially the hastula of Copernicia fallaensis is nine cm long. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis8.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis emerge erect but eventually droop on to subtending leaves. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis8.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis emerge erect but eventually droop on to subtending leaves. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis9.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis are from 3.5 to 4 m long and about equal or slightly exceed the leaves in length. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis9.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis are from 3.5 to 4 m long and about equal or slightly exceed the leaves in length. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis10.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis typically have 10 or more first-order branches, the most proximal ones originating from near the base. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila,.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis10.jpg|Inflorescences of Copernicia fallaensis typically have 10 or more first-order branches, the most proximal ones originating from near the base. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila,. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis11.jpg|Flower-bearing rachillae of Copernicia fallaensis are to five cm long, four mm in diameter, stiff, and with close-set flowers. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis11.jpg|Flower-bearing rachillae of Copernicia fallaensis are to five cm long, four mm in diameter, stiff, and with close-set flowers. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis12.jpg|The best, largest, and healthiest population of Copernicia fallaensis is near or at the type locality at Ranchuelo near Falla in Ciego de Ávila.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis12.jpg|The best, largest, and healthiest population of Copernicia fallaensis is near or at the type locality at Ranchuelo near Falla in Ciego de Ávila. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis13.jpg|At this large population of Copernicia fallaensis 84 adult trees and 187 juveniles exist in a highly disturbed, secondary forest with a few scattered plants nearby in savanna and cleared pasture. Note that some individuals have had leaves harvested. Near or at the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis13.jpg|At this large population of Copernicia fallaensis 84 adult trees and 187 juveniles exist in a highly disturbed, secondary forest with a few scattered plants nearby in savanna and cleared pasture. Note that some individuals have had leaves harvested. Near or at the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis14.jpg|Because of their large size and durability, leaves of Copernicia fallaensis are much prized and are harvested for a variety of products. Note the remnant petioles and leaf bases from which leaves were harvested. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis14.jpg|Because of their large size and durability, leaves of Copernicia fallaensis are much prized and are harvested for a variety of products. Note the remnant petioles and leaf bases from which leaves were harvested. Near the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
Image:Copernicia fallaensis15.jpg|Even at the best population of Copernicia fallaensis some of the palms have evidence of leaf harvesting. Near or at the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
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Image:Copernicia fallaensis15.jpg|Even at the best population of Copernicia fallaensis some of the palms have evidence of leaf harvesting. Near or at the type locality in Ranchuelo, Falla, Ciego de Ávila, Cuba. image001.png2016 by Donald R. Hodel. Used with permission and reprinted from PalmArbor: http://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/247344.pdf
 
Image:IMG 3386.JPG|Miami FL.
 
Image:IMG 3386.JPG|Miami FL.
 
File:post-858-0-90377200-1403667559.jpg|Miami. Photo by Scott Cohen.
 
File:post-858-0-90377200-1403667559.jpg|Miami. Photo by Scott Cohen.

Latest revision as of 09:15, 8 April 2018

Copernicia (koh-pehr-nee-SEE-ah)
fallaensis (fall-EHN-sis)
Copernicia fallaensis3.jpg
Cuba.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Copernicia (koh-pehr-nee-SEE-ah)
Species:
fallaensis (fall-EHN-sis)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Giant Yarey Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Copernicia fallaensis is endemic species of the central part of Cuba. Though Cuba's most
Thailand. Photo by Daryl O'Connor.
magnificent palm apparently was once widespread in the provinces of Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara in the center of the island, where it formed big populations in low-laying regions as part of a semideciduous forest that covered vast areas on rich, clayey soils.

Description

Copernicia fallaensis produces a massive, smooth, light gray trunk that is thickest near the middle and can reach up to 20 m (67 ft.) tall. The huge, rounded crown consists of many enormous, oval leafblades that are very evenly divided into about 120 very stiff segments. Seen against the bright sky, these form a mesmerizing pattern. The color of the leafblade is a waxy blue green and the broad, flat leaf stalks can be almost white. In Cuba, the fruits are eaten by fruit bats. While there has been some discussion in recent years on this palm being merely a robust form of Copernicia baileyana, anyone who has ever seen the two "in the flesh" agrees that that would not be justified. While Copernicia baileyana is a fantastic palm in its own right, C. fallaensis tops it with ease. It is doubtlessly the best of the Copernicia and surely one of the most stately of all palms. Mature plants are a truly awe-inspiring sight that is not easily forgotten. Editing by edric.

Culture

In cultivation, the Giant Yarey Palm is exceedingly rare. It is very easy to germinate and even though it is rather slow growing, especially as a seedling, it adapts well to a wide range of conditions in the tropics and warm subtropics.

PFC for PP.png

Comments and Curiosities

Today there is only a tiny community of less than 100 mature trees remaining in secondary savanna near the town of Falla (Ciego de Ávila province), after which the palm is named. It is considered critically endangered of extinction but unfortunately measures to better preserve its last remaining population have been rather halfhearted, most likely due to a lack of funding. While felling is no longer a problem, overexploitation of the leaves for thatch and weaving is the main threat at the moment.



External Links

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.

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