Lytocaryum insigne
Family: Arecaceae Palm Tree
Common Name: None known
Scientific Synonymy:
Microcoelum insigne, Glaziova insignis, Calappa insignis, Cocos insignis, Syagrus insignis, Lytocaryum insigne
Common Synonymy:
Miniature Coconut Palm
Cold Hardiness Zone: 9a View the UK and US zone maps
Lytocaryum insigne Information
Identification
Stems to 12 m tall and about 10 cm in diameter. Leaves 8-20 in the crown, pinnate and ± straight, about 1.3 m long, leaflets 0.9–1.5 cm in width. Petiole and rachis covered with dense blackish-brown hairs. Inflorescence with 35-50 primary branches. Staminate flowers 6-8 mm long. Fruits ovoid, 3–3.3 cm long, brownish green.
General Information
This species has been placed in synonymy with with Lytocaryum weddellianum. However, there is enough evidence to justify separating it as a distinct species. Lytocaryum insigne is larger than L. weddellianum and grows to 12 m tall and can withstand full sun exposure. It also occurs at a much higher elevation (1000-1800 m alt.) in seasonally dry forests in Nova Friburgo prov. Rio de Janerio, Brazil, which should also make this the cold-hardiest of the Lytocaryum.
Distribution
Native to: Brazil
Location: Brazil (-22.008699°N, -42.042961°E)
Observations
Map may not represent the complete natural distribution. (Markers display observation data).