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copernicia
Scientific Name: Copernicia
Family: Arecaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Copernicia: A Genus of Remarkable Palms
Copernicia is a genus of palms, encompassing both species and nothospecies (hybrids), that showcases considerable diversity. Many species within this genus are endemic to specific regions.
Considerations for Pets
- Some Copernicia species have persistent leaf bases, which might pose a minor physical hazard.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Copernicia
- Family: Arecaceae
- Major Group: Angiosperms (Flowering plants)
- The genus Copernicia is a liliopsid genus, monocot genus.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to South America and the Greater Antilles, with a high concentration of endemic species in Cuba.
- Specific species locations include:
- Copernicia alba: Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil.
- Copernicia hospita: Cuba, in open savannas, woodlands, and coastal regions.
- Copernicia tectorum: Caribbean region of Colombia, on seasonally flooded savannas.
Morphological Characteristics
- Stems: Solitary, erect stems, up to 30 m tall (usually shorter in cultivation), and up to 20 cm in diameter.
- Stems of younger individuals are covered with old leaf bases.
- Some species, like Copernicia macroglossa, have remarkably large hastulae.
Specific Species
- Copernicia prunifera
- Common Names: Carnauba palm, carnaba palm, carnaubeira palm, wax palm, Brazilian Tree of Life, caranda palm, caranday palm.
- Also referred to as the "tree of life."
- Synonyms: Arrudaria cerifera (Arruda) Macedo, Copernicia cerifera (Arruda) Mart, Corypha cerifera Arruda, Palma prunifera Mill.
- Its leaves are used to obtain Carnauba Wax.
- Copernicia alba
- Common Name: Caranday
- Variable species with erect, solitary stems of 18-22 cm diameter, and up to 25-30 m tall in older specimens.
- Copernicia hospita
- Common Names: Cuban Wax Palm, Guano Palm, Cano Palm, Guano Espinoso.
- Copernicia baileyana
- Common Name: Bailey's Copernicia Palm Tree, Yarey Palm, Bailey Yarey Palm
- Copernicia fallaensis
- Common Name: Giant Yarey Palm
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Lima et al. (2008) studied the role of Carnauba Palm in the ecology of the reduviid bug Rhodnius nasutus, a vector of Chagas disease.
- Myxomycetes (slime molds) have been found on Copernicia prunifera.
Economic Importance
- The carnauba wax palm, Copernicia prunifera, is economically significant for carnauba wax production.
- Carnauba wax is used in cosmetics formulations.
Additional Resources
- IUCN Red List: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38487A10116702.en