Copernicia macroglossa – Plant

Description

Cuban petticoat palm has a single trunk which grows up to 30 ft (9.1 m) high and 8 in (20.3 cm) in diameter. This unique palm has erect leaves that grow in the form of a spiral from the top of the trunk. The leaves are fan-shaped and grow right out of the trunk with almost no petiole (leaf stem). This gives the tree a “dressed” appearance, with the persistent older leaves forming its unique and characteristic “petticoat”. The foliage of petticoat palm produces a canopy about 6-10 ft (1.8-3.1 m) in diameter. A protruding, vertical inflorescence appears in summer. Male and female flowers are borne on separate plants. The female plant bears oval black berries 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter.