Aiphanes minima

Wiamea, Hawaii.

Aiphanes (EYE-fa-neez) minima (MIN-eh-muh)

Australia

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Aiphanes (EYE-fa-neez)
Species:	minima (MIN-eh-muh)

Synonyms

Aiphanes erosa, A. acanthophylla.

Native Continent

America

Morphology

Habit:	Solitary
Leaf type:	Pinnate

Culture

Survivability index

Common names

Bitten Palm, Macaw Palm

Habitat and Distribution

A. minima is found in the rain forests of most islands in the West Indies, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Vincent, with the exception of Cuba.

Description

A variable spiny palm to 25-50 ft/7.6-15 m with a full and well rounded crown. Leaf: Pinnate, Leaf stays flat. Leaflets with jagged ends. Macaw Palms have spines on the upper and lower leaf surfaces., spiny. Trunk: Brown with fine black spines., 6 inches in diameter (15 cm). Flower: Fragrant creamy to light yellow flowers. Flower stalk coming from among the leaves, pendulous, much longer than the leaves (6 feet - 1.8 m). Fruit: red. 0.7 inch (1.6 cm). round. Seed: round, pitted. Edible seed. As well as spiny leaves as a juvenile, the rachis, petiole and trunk of the adult are covered in sharp black spines. Its older pendulous leaves gives this palm a most elegant and graceful appearance. Editing by edric.

Culture

Min. Temperature: 28°F (-2°C) Water Requirements: Regular water, Sun Requirements: Light shade to shade. Germination: easy when fresh. Juveniles reportedly require a shady location to get established after which they can tolerate sun or partial shade. A well drained soil free of salt is imperative. Aside from that it will tolerate most other growing conditions well. Best in a tropical climate, but will survive and even thrive in a warm Mediterranean climate like Southern California. In such a climate, best in semi-shade, surrounded by other plants to both protect from the Santa Ana winds, and to provide extra humidty through transpiration.

Comments and Curiosities

Because of its variablity and ease of hybridizing in cultivation , this palm has experienced repeated name and group changes, and therefore a legacy of some confusion.