Copernicia hospita

Copernicia hospita is a palm which is endemic to Cuba.

Description

A palm. The stems are 4-8 m tall and 12-30 cm wide. Sometimes they can be swollen at the base and there can also be side shoots. The leaves are spreading and fan shaped. The leaf stalks are long. The leaves are round in outline. They are grey and waxy on the under-surface. They do not have thorns along the edge. The flowering stalk is longer than the leaves. The flowering branches are 0.5-3.5 cm long and 1-2.5 mm wide. They are hairy and the bracts are tube shaped. The fruit are round and 1.7-2 mm across. They are black. The plant varies a lot.

Edible Uses

The fruit is occasionally harvested from wild plants as food.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used as an occasional food harvested in forests.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in Cuba in open savannah and woodland. It is at low elevations and often near mangroves.

Where It Grows

Central America, Cuba*, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants can tolerate occasional short-lived frosts with temperatures down to -2.5°c. Prefers a position in full sun. Also succeeds in light shade. Grows best in a moist soil. A slow-growing plant.

Propagation

Seed - it can take 3 months to germinate.

Other Uses

The leaves are woven into hats, panniers and baskets. The leaves are used for thatching. The stems are hard and durable. They are extensively used as fence posts.

Production

It is very slow growing.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Guano cano, Yarey

References (3)

• Balick, M.J. and Beck, H.T., (Ed.), 1990, Useful palms of the World. A Synoptic Bibliography. Colombia p 362 (As Copernicia curbeloi),
• Hist. nat. palm. 3:243, t. 50a. 1838
• http://www.ntbg.org/plants/plant details.php

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