Difference between revisions of "Coccothrinax boschiana"

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Photo by Paul Craft, edric.

Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks) boschiana (bosch-ee-AHN-ah)
Scientific Classification
Genus: Coccothrinax (koh-koh-TRIH-naks) Species: boschiana (bosch-ee-AHN-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
guano de Barreras, Barreras Silver Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to the Dominican Republic. Found in dry forests, in the dry peninsula of Barahona, 5 km. south of the small rural town of Barreras. This ridge of solid grey limestone, altitude of 5 to 200 m., on the Sierra Martín García ridge, in the Sierra de Neiba, on the Barahona peninsula only, in southwestern Dominican Republic.

Description

A robust solitary fan palm, to about 12m. (40 ft.) in height. Coccothrinax boschiana grows a slender trunk, densely clothed in hard, fibrous leaf sheaths. The leaves are very stiff and rigid,yellowish green to golden above, and stunningly silvery white below. Palmate-leaved; with heavy shiny leaves, that are golden above, and silver below. The trunk is covered in thick, woody fibres which form a striking rhomboid criss-cross pattern. It has pinkish-purple warty fruits. Editing by edric.

Culture

In cultivation, C. boschiana will do well in any tropical and most warm temperate climates, though growth in the latter may be rather slow. Its is obviously an unrivaled choice for coastal areas and one of the few bluish palms that will grow in the humid tropics. Zones 10b-11. Requires full sun, excellent drainage, and tropical temperatures. Drought and salt tolerant.

Curiosities

Described as recently as 1997, this magnificent new species grows only on a single limestone ridge to an altitude of 200 m (650 ft.) in the southwest of the Dominican Republic on the Barahona Peninsula. Where the ridge dives into the Caribbean Sea, the palms grow almost to the waters edge, their leaves rattling in the constant breeze, and offer a magnificent setting with the backdrop of the crystal clear water and a grandiose view along a wild and rugged coastline. Despite the breathtaking scenery, the conditions here are harsh, unbearably hot, with little rainfall and even less soil, and otherwise only give rise to thorny scrub studded with cacti. Coccothrinax boschiana grows a slender trunk to about 12 m (39 ft.) tall, densely clothed in hard, fibrous leaf sheaths. The leaves are very stiff and rigid, fairly large for a Coccothrinax, yellowish green to golden above and stunningly silvery white below. (RPS.com), edric.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
• "Just To Be Clear"
• http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2005/vol49n2p57-71.pdf
• http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2002/boschiana.htm

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Special thanks to palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos, edric.

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.