Copernicia alba (Caranday Palm, Palma Blanca, Wax Palm.)
Botanical Information
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Genus | Copernicia |
| Species | alba |
| Synonyms | Copernicia ramulosa, Coryphomia tectorum, Copernicia australis, Copernicia rubra, Copernicia nigra. |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Argentina, Paraguay, Central Brazil, Bolivia, and South America. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses Disclaimer | Wax from the leaves is used for making candles. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 9a - 11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H1c - H4 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -5 - -7 °C |
| Temperature (°F) | 19 - 23 °F |
| Height | 9 m |
| Spread | 1.8 - 2.4 m |
| Growth | Slow |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Prefers moist but well drained soils. |
| Shape | Upright. |
| Landscape | Used as focal point, or specimen plant. |
| Propagation | By seed. |
| Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Leaf Description | Thin, heavily armed, with sharp dark brown teeth, and 60 - 90 cm long. The colour is light green to silver to light blue with brownish stripe down the ventral midline. |
| Flower Description | 1 m long, and multi branched. |
| Fruit Description | Oval and green to black when ripe. |
Photographs
Copernicia alba, form. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Copernicia alba, bark. Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.