Root-spine palm
Cryosophila nana

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A single stemmed palm. It grows 5 m tall. The stem is 5-10 cm across. It has spines. The crown has 6-13 leaves. The fruit are round and 2-3 cm across. The fruit are white and shiny. It has a spongy sweet pulp.

There are 8 Cryosophila species. They occur in Central America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Mexico, North America, Trinidad, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for wine. The pulp of the fruit is eaten.

It is cultivated in some places.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Escoba, Guano, Salmiche, Sollamiche, Zoyamiche

Synonyms

Acanthorrhiza aculeata (Liebm. ex Mart.) H. Wendl.; Acanthorrhiza mocinni (Kunth) Benth. & Hook. f. ex Hemsl.; Acanthorrhiza mocinoi (Kunth) Benth. & Hook .f.; Chamaerops mocinoi Kunth; Copernicia nana (Kunth) Liebm ex Hemsl.; Copernicia nana (Kunth) Mart.; Corypha nana Kunth; Cryosophila mocinoi (Kunth) R. R. Fernandez; Cryosophila nana (Kunth( Blume ex Salomon; Trithrinax aculeata Liebm. ex Mart.;