Coccothrinax
Encyclopedia
Coccothrinax is a genus
of palms in the Arecaceae
family
. There are more than 50 species
described in the genus, plus many synonyms and sub-species. A new species (Coccothrinax torrida
) has been described as recently as 2006. Many of the Coccothrinax have silver or thatch, or both, in their English common names. In Spanish – speaking countries, guano is a common name applied to Coccothrinax species. The species are native throughout the Caribbean
, the Bahamas, extreme southern Florida
and southeastern Mexico
, but most of the species are known only from Cuba
.
Coccothrinax is a genus of small to medium-sized, fan palm
s with relatively slender stems and 8 to 22 palmate leaves. The stems are initially covered by fibrous leaf sheaths. These break down into a network of fibres or spines, eventually leaving a bare trunk covered with leaf scars. The underside of the leaflet
s are often silvery-grey, on the underside; this is reflected by the fact that many common name "silver palm" which is given to many species of Coccothrinax. The base of the petiole is not split longitudinally. The absence of this trait is a distinguishing character which separates Coccothrinax from Thrinax.
Coccothrinax species bear branched inflorescence
s which are located among the leaves. The bisexual flowers, which are borne on short stalks, have between 6 and 13 stamen
s and a single carpel. The fruit are small, single-seeded, and range in colour from purple-red to purple-black, to brown. The seeds are deeply grooved "and resemble a brain".
in 1899. He split the genus away from Thrinax
based on characteristics of the fruit and seeds. The genus was based on Sargent's description of C. jucunda (now C. argentata
) and C. garberi (also synonymised with C. argentata). He also assigned Thrinax argentea
and T. radiata to the genus; while the former is now known as recognised as part of Coccothrinax, the latter remains in Thrinax. The generic epithet combines "coccus", the Latin word for berry, with Thrinax.
Coccothrinax is the most diverse genus of Caribbean palms. Although Andrew Henderson
and colleagues only recognised fourteen species in their 1995 Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas, the current World Checklist of Arecaceae recognises 52 or 53 species.
and Florida
. Species are usually found in dry, open or exposed habitats, on limestone
, serpentine
or sand
y soils.
Coccothrinax argentata
ranges from Florida
and the Florida Keys
, through the Bahamas and San Andrés Island to southeastern Mexico
. Coccothrinax barbadensis
ranges through the Lesser Antilles
to Trinidad and Tobago
and the Netherlands Antilles
. The remaining species have narrower distributions; many are known from single populations in Cuba or Hispaniola.
http://www.palmguide.org/index.php, in Miami, Florida
, Jardín Botánico Nacionalhttp://www.uh.cu/centros/jbn/ , in Havana
, Cuba
and Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2001/palmetum.htm, in the Canary Islands
, Spain
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of palms in the Arecaceae
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...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
. There are more than 50 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
described in the genus, plus many synonyms and sub-species. A new species (Coccothrinax torrida
Coccothrinax torrida
Coccothrinax torrida is a palm endemic to southeastern Cuba. It is known from a single isolated hill on the coast of the Guantánamo Province. The climate of the area is described as semi-desert with 9 or 10 dry months. Like other members of the genus, C. torrida is a fan palm...
) has been described as recently as 2006. Many of the Coccothrinax have silver or thatch, or both, in their English common names. In Spanish – speaking countries, guano is a common name applied to Coccothrinax species. The species are native throughout the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, the Bahamas, extreme southern Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and southeastern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, but most of the species are known only from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Description
Fan palm
Fan palm as a descriptive term can refer to any of several different kinds of palms in various genera with leaves that are palmately compound...
s with relatively slender stems and 8 to 22 palmate leaves. The stems are initially covered by fibrous leaf sheaths. These break down into a network of fibres or spines, eventually leaving a bare trunk covered with leaf scars. The underside of the leaflet
Leaflet
A leaflet in botany is a part of a compound leaf. A leaflet may resemble an entire leaf, but it is not borne on a stem as a leaf is, but rather on a vein of the whole leaf. Compound leaves are common in many plant families...
s are often silvery-grey, on the underside; this is reflected by the fact that many common name "silver palm" which is given to many species of Coccothrinax. The base of the petiole is not split longitudinally. The absence of this trait is a distinguishing character which separates Coccothrinax from Thrinax.
Coccothrinax species bear branched inflorescence
Inflorescence
An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Strictly, it is the part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed and which is accordingly modified...
s which are located among the leaves. The bisexual flowers, which are borne on short stalks, have between 6 and 13 stamen
Stamen
The stamen is the pollen producing reproductive organ of a flower...
s and a single carpel. The fruit are small, single-seeded, and range in colour from purple-red to purple-black, to brown. The seeds are deeply grooved "and resemble a brain".
Taxonomy
The genus Coccothrinax was first described by American botanist Charles Sprague SargentCharles Sprague Sargent
Charles Sprague Sargent was an American botanist. He was the first director of the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts and the standard botanical author abbreviation Sarg. is applied to plants he described.-Biography:Sargent was the second son of Henrietta and...
in 1899. He split the genus away from Thrinax
Thrinax
Thrinax is a genus in the palm family, native to the wider Caribbean. It is closely related to the genera Coccothrinax, Hemithrinax and Zombia. Flowers are small and bisexual, and are borne on small stalks....
based on characteristics of the fruit and seeds. The genus was based on Sargent's description of C. jucunda (now C. argentata
Coccothrinax argentata
Coccothrinax argentata is a palm which is native to Bahamas, south Florida southeast Mexico and San Andrés Island. It is a small , slow-growing fan palm with leaves that are dark blue-green above and silver-coloured below. Flowers are white and small on light orange branches. The fruits rae...
) and C. garberi (also synonymised with C. argentata). He also assigned Thrinax argentea
Coccothrinax argentea
Coccothrinax argentea is a palm which is endemic to Hispaniola. It is a medium sized palm Coccothrinax argentea is a palm which is endemic to Hispaniola. It is a medium sized palm Coccothrinax argentea is a palm which is endemic to Hispaniola. It is a medium sized palm (growing about 10 m tall. ...
and T. radiata to the genus; while the former is now known as recognised as part of Coccothrinax, the latter remains in Thrinax. The generic epithet combines "coccus", the Latin word for berry, with Thrinax.
Coccothrinax is the most diverse genus of Caribbean palms. Although Andrew Henderson
Andrew Henderson (botanist)
Andrew James Henderson is a palm-systematist and Curator of the Institute of Systematic Botany at the New York Botanical Garden. He has authored taxonomic descriptions of 140 species, subspecies and varieties of plants, especially in the palm family...
and colleagues only recognised fourteen species in their 1995 Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas, the current World Checklist of Arecaceae recognises 52 or 53 species.
Distribution
Coccothrinax is a primarily Caribbean genus—it is found throughout the insular Caribbean, and in adjacent areas of MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Species are usually found in dry, open or exposed habitats, on limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
, serpentine
Serpentine soil
A serpentine soil is derived from ultramafic rocks, in particular serpentinite, a rock formed by the hydration and metamorphic transformation of ultramafic rock from the Earth's mantle....
or sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
y soils.
Coccothrinax argentata
Coccothrinax argentata
Coccothrinax argentata is a palm which is native to Bahamas, south Florida southeast Mexico and San Andrés Island. It is a small , slow-growing fan palm with leaves that are dark blue-green above and silver-coloured below. Flowers are white and small on light orange branches. The fruits rae...
ranges from Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, through the Bahamas and San Andrés Island to southeastern Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Coccothrinax barbadensis
Coccothrinax barbadensis
Coccothrinax barbadensis is a palm found in the Lesser Antilles Coccothrinax barbadensis (latanier, latanier balai) is a palm found in the Lesser Antilles Coccothrinax barbadensis (latanier, latanier balai) is a palm found in the Lesser Antilles (and Trinidad and Tobago. Like other members of the...
ranges through the Lesser Antilles
Lesser Antilles
The Lesser Antilles are a long, partly volcanic island arc in the Western Hemisphere. Most of its islands form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, with the remainder located in the southern Caribbean just north of South America...
to Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
and the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
. The remaining species have narrower distributions; many are known from single populations in Cuba or Hispaniola.
Uses
The largest collections are grown in Fairchild Tropical Botanic GardenFairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a botanic garden, with extensive collections of rare tropical plants including palms, cycads, flowering trees and vines. It is located in metropolitan Miami, just south of Coral Gables, Florida, United States, surrounded at the south and west by Matheson...
http://www.palmguide.org/index.php, in Miami, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, Jardín Botánico Nacionalhttp://www.uh.cu/centros/jbn/ , in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a botanical garden of 120.000 m2 specialized in palms . It is located in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. The park is divided in "biogeographical sections" and includes a large system of waterfalls, streams and ponds, an ethnographical museum...
http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2001/palmetum.htm, in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.