The Cuban wax palm is a handsome ornamental palm of moderate dimensions. The circular gray waxy leaves of the Cuban wax palm spread out like fans on long, thin stems (petioles). Up to 40 leaves form a very characteristic circular outline around the top of the trunk. The smooth columnar trunk can grow up to 1 ft (0.3 m) in diameter and up to 26 ft (7.9 m) tall. Dainty brown flowers extend past the leaves on uniquely hairy branches. The flowers are bisexual, so one Cuban wax palm may produce seeds by itself! The fruits resemble black marbles, up to 1 in (2.5 m) across.
(Floridata Plant Encyclopedia. 2004.)
The hard leaves of this palm and the durable stems of the Cuban wax palm are used extensively for fence posts, thatching roofs, and its leaves are woven into hats, panniers (load-carriers) and baskets.
The Cuban wax palm belongs to the genus of palms considered by many to be the most spectacular of American palms. In profile, the Cuban wax palm is quite striking, with the outline of the leaves forming a great circular arc around the top of the trunk. This palm is considered quite a prize outside of Cuba and is now available from some nurseries and palm seed providers. The Cuban wax palm thrives in full sun locations in tropical settings, like southern Florida.
(Floridata Plant Encyclopedia. 2004.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
Copernicia hospita is native to Cuba, where it can be found on hills and slopes.
(Floridata Plant Encyclopedia. 2004.)
This genus of plants was named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543). The specific part of the name, "hospita", is a Latin word, meaning "hospitable", believed to refer to the palm being a hospitable, welcoming home to a wide variety of birds.
(Floridata Plant Encyclopedia. 2004.)
