Copernicia


Copernicia is a genus of palms native to South America and the Greater Antilles. Of the known species and nothospecies, 22 of the 27 are endemic to Cuba. They are fan palms, with the leaves with a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of numerous leaflets. The species are small to medium-sized trees growing to 5–30 m tall, typically occurring close to streams and rivers in savanna habitats. The genus is named after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. In some of the species, the leaves are coated with a thin layer of wax, known as carnauba wax.

Species and hybrids

Copernicia species and hybrids are as follows.
ImageScientific nameDistribution
Copernicia alba MorongBolivia, Argentina, Paraguay, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso Sul
Copernicia baileyana LeónCuba
Copernicia berteroana Becc.Hispaniola
Copernicia brittonorum LeónCuba
Copernicia cowellii Britton & P.WilsonCamagüey Province in Cuba
Copernicia curbeloi LeónCuba
Copernicia curtissii Becc.Cuba
Copernicia ekmanii BurretHaiti
Copernicia fallaensis LeónCuba
Copernicia gigas Ekman ex BurretCuba
Copernicia glabrescens H.Wendl. ex BeccCuba
Copernicia hospita Mart.Cuba
Copernicia humicola LeónCuba
Copernicia longiglossa LeónCuba
Copernicia macroglossa SchaedtlerCuba
Copernicia molinetii LeónCuba
Copernicia prunifera H.E.Moorenortheastern Brazil
Copernicia rigida Britton & P.WilsonCuba
Copernicia roigii LeónCuba
Copernicia tectorum Mart.Colombia, Venezuela
Copernicia yarey BurretCuba