Syagrus macrocarpa

Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs) macrocarpa (mak-roh-KAR-pah)
Syagrus macrocarpa specimen at Roberto Burle Marx Garden in Brazil. Photo by Paul Craft.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs) Species: macrocarpa (mak-roh-KAR-pah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Maria Rosa Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Syagrus macrocarpa is found in Brazil Southeast.

Minas Gerais, Brazil. Photo Dr. by Kelen Soares.

Description

Solitary palm tree growing 5 - 10 metres tall. The unbranched bole can be 10 - 20 cm in diameter, topped by a crown of 15 - 20, gracefully arching, plumose leaves with curly leaflets. Fruit; fibrous, mucilaginous pulp with a slightly sweet flavour. The fruit is about 8 cm long and 6 cm wide. Editing by edric.

Culture

Seed - very difficult to germinate, with rates typically about 5%. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a.

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: The edible fruits and seed are gathered from the wild for local use.

Conservation: The species is confined to Atlantic coastal forest - a habitat that has been severely degraded by human activity. Trees are so sparsely scattered that out-crossing may be seriously limited. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

A medium-sized palm from southeastern Brazil with a slender trunk to 8 m (27 ft.) tall, topped by a crown of beautiful, elegantly arching, feathery leaves with curly leaflets. Syagrus macrocarpa is a highly ornamental palm, as easy and rewarding to grow as the Queen Palm, and has enormous potential for horticulture. It will easily adapt to cultivation in warm temperate as well as tropical areas. As one of the rarest of all Syagrus, both in the wild where it faces the threat of extinction. (RPS.com)