Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Ceroxylon alpinum
Livestock Forage
Lumber
Ceremonial
English Common Name
Wax palm
Colombian Common Name
Palma de cera, Palma blanca, Palma real, Chonta
Tree Family
Arecaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
75-125cm
Length
×
80cm
Width
Tree Height
Large (> 35m)
Elevational Range (m)
1400–2000m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Colombia, Venezuela
Colombia
Antioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Quindío, Risaralda
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seeds. It grows slowly and is usually found in solitary stands.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Livestock Forage
- Lumber
- Ceremonial
Fruits are consumed by pigs. Ceremonially, the leaves were used for Palm Sunday. Used to adorn and decorate spaces. Used in the construction of fences and walls.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Carbon Capture
Shade. Capture and storage of atmospheric carbon.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts seed dispersers, Attracts pollinators. Fruits are consumed by birds like toucans, thrushes, parrots, among others, as well as mammals like agoutis, squirrels, and bats.
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online (POWO). (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/;
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). IUCN Red List. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/;
Fern, Ken (2024). Tropical Plants Database. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/;
Universidad EIA. (2024). Catálogo virtual de Flora del Valle de Aburrá. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://catalogofloravalleaburra.eia.edu.co/;
World Flora Online. (2024). World Flora Online. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.worldfloraonline.org/;
Universidad Nacional de Colombia. (2024). Nombres Comunes de las Plantasde Colombia. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/es/;
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2024). GBIF. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/es/
CAR (2020). Plan de manejo y conservación de la Palma real (Ceroxylon alpinum Bonpl. Ex DC.) en la jurisdicción
CAR
Giraldo P, Laina A, López JH, Aguirre JF, Toro J. (2009). Café, una alternativa para la Conservación. Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF Colombia, Asociación Red Colombiana de Reservas Naturales de la Sociedad Civil, Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia