Acoelorrhaphe wrightii

(Griseb. & H. Wendl.) H. Wendl. ex Becc.

Silver saw palmetto

Arecaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds

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Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

Edible Uses

The fruit and seeds are edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in low-lying areas occasionally flooded by fresh or brackish water. It grows at low elevations. It can grow in sun or shade. It can tolerate drought. It can tolerate salt. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Caribbean, Central America*, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, North America, Panama, SE Asia, South America, West Indies,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds need to be sown fresh. The plant can be grown by dividing the clump.

Synonyms

Acanthosabal caespitosa Prosch.Acoelorrhaphe arborescens (Sarg.) Becc.Acoelorrhaphe pinetorum BartlettAcoelorrhaphe wrightii var. novogeronensis Becc.Brahea psilocalyx BurrettCopernicia wrightii Griseb. & H.Wendl.Paurotis androsana O.F.CookPaurotis arborescens (Sarg.) O.F.CookPaurotis psilocalyx (Burret) LundellPaurotis schippii BurretPaurotis wrightii (Griseb. & H.Wendl.) BrittonSenenoa arborescens Sarg.

Also Known As

Botan palm, Chi-it, Everglades palm, Guano prieto, Hairy tom, Honduras pimenta, Palem geraji perak, Palma de pantano, Papta, Paurotis palm, Pimento palm, Prementa, Saw-cabbage-palm, Saw paurotis, Spanish top palm, Taciste, Tasiste

References (6)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 45
Grandtner, M. M., 2008, World Dictionary of Trees. Wood and Forest Science Department. Laval University, Quebec, Qc Canada. (Internet database http://www.WDT.QC.ca)
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J.,2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 10
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
Standley, P. & Steyermark, J., 1958, Flora of Guatemala. Fieldiana: Botany, Volume 24 part 1 p 277

Show all 6 references