| Aiphanes horrida | |
|---|---|
| Aiphanes horrida in the Jena Botanical Garden | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Subfamily: | Arecoideae |
| Tribe: | Cocoseae |
| Subtribe: | Bactridinae[1] |
| Genus: | Aiphanes |
| Species: | A. horrida |
| Binomial name | |
| Aiphanes horrida (Jacq.) Burret[2] |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Caryota horrida Jacq. |
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Aiphanes horrida is a palm native to northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. Aiphanes horrida is a solitary, spiny tree. In the wild it grows 3–10 metres tall (9–30 feet) tall with a stem diameter of 6–10 centimetres (2–4 inches); cultivated trees may be as much as 15 m (49') tall with a 15 cm (6") diameter.[3] The epicarp and mesocarp of the fruit rich in carotene and are eaten in Colombia, while the seeds are used to make candles.[4] In parts of the Colombian Llanos endocarps are used to play games.[3]
The range of the species is found in dry forests between sea level and 1700 m (5600') above sea level in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, but is not native to Ecuador.[4] The species is cultivated as an ornamental throughout the tropics.[3]
Many authors, including Henderson et al. (1995)[4] and Borchenius and Bernal (1996)[3] use A. aculeata rather than A. horrida, giving Jacquin's description of Caryota horrida a publication date of 1809, three years after Willdenow's 1806 description. On the other hand, Govaerts et al. (2006)[5] gives Jacquin's work a publication date of 1801, giving A. horrida priority over A. aculeata.
Contents |
Aiphanes horrida is commonly known by a variety of names including Cocos rura, Mararay, Corozo, Macagüita, Marará[4], Macahuite, Corozo del Orinoco, Corozo anchame, Mararava, Cubarro, Chonta, Chascaraza, Charascal, Corozo chiquito, Corozo colorado, Pujamo, Gualte, Chonta ruro[3], Pupunha xicaxica,[6] Coyure palm, Ruffle palm, Aculeata palm[7] and Spine palm.