Ceroxylon parvifrons (Engel) H.Wendl.

Original reference: In O.C.E.de Kerchove de Denterghem, Palmiers 239 (1878)

Basionym: Klopstockia parvifrons Engel

Morphology: Subcanopy palm. Stem solitary, to 15 m tall, 15-35 cm in diameter, grey to white with dark leaf scars. Leaves 2-3.5 m long; pinnae 70-85 on each side, regularly inserted in one plane, stiff, horizontal, the central ones to 50 cm long and 4-5 cm wide, below with a light brown to white, waxy indument. Inflorescences curved to pendulous, to 2 m long, branched 2-3 times. Fruits globose to oblong, 15-25 mm in diameter, smooth, orange-red.

Distribution: Venezuela to Bolivia in the Andes.

Notes: The S Ecuadorian plants of C. parvifrons are larger than usual for the species.

Conservation status: Vulnerable - IUCN criteria: A1c, B1, B2c (Borchsenius & Skov 1999)

Common names: Palma real - Spanish (J.A. Steyermark #52632). Ramos - Spanish (J.A. Steyermark #52632).

Uses: The leaves are occasionally used for easter parades (Zamora-Chincipe) (Borchsenius et al. 1998). The white waxy covering on the stem is used for making candles (J.A. Steyermark #52632).

Synonym list (4)

Specimen list

 

Photo: F. Borchsenius


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