Wax palm, Andean Wax Palm
Ceroxylon alpinum

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary, feather-leafed palm. It can be 30 m high and 20-30 cm across the trunk. It has a waxy trunk. It does not have a crown-shaft. The trunk is tall and slender. There are rings on the trunk. The leaves form a rounded crown. They are dark green and divided along the stalk. The leaves have a sheathing base but not a crown-shaft. The leaves are 2-3.5 m long. The leaflets are long and narrow. They are deep glossy green above and silvery white underneath. The flowering stalk is 1.5-2 m long. These arise amongst the leaves and there can be several at one time. The bracts are covered with brown woolly scales. Flowers are pale yellow. The fruit are orange-red with a rough surface. They are 17-19 mm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the Andes at 1500-2000 m altitude. It grows in subtropical and temperate climates. They suit cool moist locations. It prefers an acid soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 6-12 months to germinate. Seed are sensitive to rotting and high temperatures.

Its other names

Local names

Palma de cera

Synonyms

Ceroxylon andicola Humb. & Bonpl.; Ceroxylon ferrugineum Andre; Iriartea andicola (Humb. & Bonpl.) Spreng.;