Brazilian Wax Palm, Carnauba Palm, Carnauba Wax
Copernicia prunifera

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Copernicia prunifera or Carnauba Palm is a tropical fan palm native to north eastern Brazil. It grows up to 20 m in height with trunk diameter of up to 25 cm. It has a circular tree crown. The flowers are bisexual. The fruits are round, small, and black. The plant, particularly the coating of the leaves, is a source of carnauba wax which is used to make varnishes, lubricant, soap, candles, etc. The fruit and pith are edible. The pith has high starch content and is used to make sago. The trunk also yields an edible gum. The leaves and the apical bud are both eaten as vegetable. The seed is used as coffee substitute and is a source of oil. The leaves are used as thatching and weaving material. Leaf fibres are made into ropes. The wood is used for fuel, poles, fencing, etc. The plant is drought resistant. Other names include wax palm and carnauba.

Copernicia prunifera is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Dry forest areas of Brazil, growing along rivers in valleys, often in areas subject to periodic inundation and periodic drought.

S. America - northeastern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Central America, East Africa, India, Madagascar, Mauritius, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, West Indies.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

The pith of the trunk is rich in starch and is used to make sago. An edible gum is obtained from the trunk. Young inflorescences. The seed is used as a coffee substitute. Leaves - cooked. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots.

Oil: Oil

Coffee: the various substitutes that can be used instead of coffee.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 3

The roots are depurative and diuretic. A decoction is considered a specific treatment for syphilis, and is also used in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, dermal afflictions and oedema. A wax obtained from the leaves is used in the preparation of ointments and cataplasms.

Antiarthritic: Treats arthritis.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: A high quality wax is obtained from the lower surfaces of the leaves. It is very hard and has a high melting point. It is used to make various high quality polishes and varnishes, phonographic records, lubricants, soaps, candles etc. The leaves can be used for thatching and weaving into articles such as mats, baskets and hats. The leaves (probably the fibre from them) are used to make ropes. An oil is obtained from the seeds. The wood is soft, moderately heavy, long-lasting in salty water, easy to work. It is used for fencing, rustic buildings, laths, lathe work such as walking sticks etc. The whole stems are used for poles. The wood is used for fuel. Landscape Uses: Attractive flowers.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Fencing: Plants that can be used for fencing.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Polish: Plants used to give a shine to metals, wood etc.

Soap making: Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.

String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

Wax: Used for making candles etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Industrial Crop: Wax: Water resistant, malleable substances. Currently, most commercial wax is made from paraffin - a fossil fuel.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Industrial Crop: Wax: Water resistant, malleable substances. Currently, most commercial wax is made from paraffin - a fossil fuel.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Plants succeed in moist tropical climates where temperatures never fall below 10°c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain. They can also succeed in drier areas with an annual rainfall as low as 250mm and one month or more where rainfall is below 25mm. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil. Succeeds in saline soils. A slow-growing plant. It is grown commercially for the production of wax.

Propagating it: Seed - there is no need to separate the seeds from the fruit before sowing. If stored seed is used then pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water. Sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. The seed can take 2 - 3 months to germinate. Sprouting is slow, with a low germination rate. Young seedlings grow slowly.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling

Its other names

Local names

Copernicia prunifera or Carnauba Palm. Also known as: Carnauba, Carnauba wax palm, Wax Palm.

Synonyms

Arrudaria cerifera (Arruda) Macedo Copernicia cerifera (Arruda) Mart. Corypha cerifera Arruda Palma