Manaca
Calyptronoma plumeriana

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It grows 4-10 m high. The trunks are 10-20 cm across. There are 12-16 leaves. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. These are regularly arranged and spread in the same plane. Both male and female flowers occur on the one plant. The flowering stalks grow out from beneath the leaf crown. The flower stalk is short with flowers congested on it. There are 3-5 flowering branches 13-22 cm long. The fruit are small and brown or black when mature.

There are 3 Calyptronoma species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in wet forests and along streams. They grow in low lying wet areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Hispaniola, West Indies

How it is used for food

The male flowers are eaten for their sweet nectar.

Edible parts

Male flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Confite

Synonyms

Calyptrogyne clementis Leon; Calyptrogyne dulcis (C.H.Wright ex Griseb.) M. Gomez.; Calyptrogyne Intermedia (Griseb. & H.Wendl.) M Gomez; Calyptrogyne microcarpa Leon; Calyptronoma clementis (Leon) A.D.Hawkes; Calyptronoma clementis subsp. orientensis Munz. & Borhidi; Calyptronoma clementis subsp. clementis Calyptronoma dulcis (C.H.Wright ex Griseb.)L.H.Bailey; Calyptronoma intermedia (Griseb. & H. Wendl.)H. Wendl.; Calyptronoma microcarpa (Leon) A.D. Hawkes; Geonoma dulcis C.H.Wright ex Griseb.; Geonoma intermedia Griseb. & H. Wendl.; Geonoma plumeriana Mart.;