Lytocaryum weddellianum
Encyclopedia
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 (-3.9 °C). This palm can be successfully grown in hardiness zone
s 9b–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 coconut
s. This palm should be grown in well draining soil that is constantly moist, but not soggy, as this can lead to lethal root rot.
This palm originates in South America, though the exact location is unknown. It grows naturally in the rainforests of Brazil. It is a medium altitude palm, growing in altitudes of 50 metre. 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
.
Arecaceae
Arecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
. It is closely related to the coconut palm, but is much smaller and more cold tolerant, taking down to about 25 °F (-3.9 °C). This palm can be successfully grown in hardiness zone
Hardiness zone
A hardiness zone is a geographically defined area in which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone...
s 9b–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 coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
s. This palm should be grown in well draining soil that is constantly moist, but not soggy, as this can lead to lethal root rot.
This palm originates in South America, though the exact location is unknown. It grows naturally in the rainforests of Brazil. It is a medium altitude palm, growing in altitudes of 50 metre. 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
Syagrus
Syagrus is a genus of 30 to 42 species of Arecaceae , native to South America, with one species endemic to the Lesser Antilles. The genus is closely related to the Cocos, or coconut genus, and many Syagrus species produce edible seeds similar to the coconut.-Description:Palms in this group have...
, and finally moving to its own genus, Lytocaryum
Lytocaryum
Lytocaryum is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family endemic to Brazil where two species are known. Palms once classified as Microcoelum are herein included; the genus is closely related to Syagrus, from which it is differentiated only by abundant tomentum, strongly versatile...
.