Lytocaryum weddellianum

miniature coconut palm
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Lytocaryum
Species: L. weddellianum
Binomial name
Lytocaryum weddellianum
(H.Wendl.) Toledo
Synonyms[1]

Lytocaryum weddellianum , also known as the miniature coconut palm or Weddell's palm, is a feather palm in the palm family. It is closely related to the coconut palm, but is much smaller and more cold tolerant, taking down to about 25 °F (−4 °C). This palm can be successfully grown in hardiness zones 10b–11. The palm has a small stature, only growing to a height of 6 feet. In rare cases, this palm can grow to 10 feet, with a trunk diameter of about 2". After flowering, it produces small edible fruits that resemble and taste like coconuts. It has been reported that oil extracted from the nuts has been important commercially.[2] This palm should be grown in well draining soil that is constantly moist, but not soggy, as this can lead to lethal root rot.[3]

This palm is native to the State of Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil.[1][4] It grows naturally in the rainforests of the region. It is a medium altitude palm, growing in altitudes of 50–800 m (160–2,620 ft). It thrives in the humid shade of the Brazilian rainforests. Originally, the palm was placed in the same species as the coconut palm, under the name Cocos weddelliana, before moving to the queen palm genus, Syagrus, and finally moving to its own genus, Lytocaryum.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ↑ Bailey L. H. The Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 1928
  3. ↑ Lorenzi, H., Noblick, L.R., Kahn, F. & Ferreira, E. (2010). Brazilian Flora Arecaceae (Palms): 1-268. Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora LTDA, São Paulo, Brazil.
  4. ↑ Forzza, R. C. 2010. Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro
  5. ↑ Govaerts, R. & Dransfield, J. (2005). World Checklist of Palms: 1-223. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  1. Trebrown Nurseries (Liskeard, Cornwall, UK), Lytocaryum weddellianum
  2. Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia, Lytocaryum weddellianum
  3. Jungle Music, Lytocaryum weddellianum
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