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Ceroxylon quindiuense
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Ceroxylon quindiuense (Karsten) |
Ceroxylon quindiuense (Palma de cera del quindio, (Wax palm tree), is a palm native to the Andean high altitude valley of Cocora in the department of Quindío, northwest Colombia. It grows up to 60 m (exceptionally 80 m) tall in good growing conditions and is the tallest monocot in the world. The leaves are dark green and grayish, with a petiole up to 2 m long. The trunk is cylindrical, smooth, ligh colored and covered with wax, When the leaves die they fall and this form a dark ring around the trunk. The palm is recognized as the national tree of Colombia) and as a protected specie. Ceroxylon quindiuense has an extremely slow growth and can live up to a hundred years. It was observed for Alexander Von Humboldt, the first time in 1801.
Wax palms provide a habitat for many unique life forms, often endangered species such as Loro Orejiamarillo (yellow-eared parrot) Ognorhynchus icterotis. It grows in groups over the hills of the western side of the andean mountains, between 2.500 - 2.800 meters over sea level, with a required temperature range 12-19º C, and an average of rain of 1800 mm/year, in sandy soils with high acidity.
The palm faced extinction due to human action. The wax of the trunk was used to make candles, until the introduction of electricity a few decades ago. The wood of the palm is unsuitable for the timber industry, but was used to build rudimentary water supplies for the poor peasants.[citation needed] The fruits were used as food for cattle and pigs. The leaves were extensively used in the Catholic celebrations of palm sunday. All of these circumstances produced a drastic reduction of the number of wax palms[citation needed], which motivated the Colombian government of Belisario Betancur to begin providing protection for the remaining trees.
- http://www.armeniaalaorden.com/palma.htm#
- http://www.banrep.gov.co/blaavirtual/credencial/julio2001/lapalma.htm
National Anthem | Flag | Coat of Arms | Sombrero Vueltiao | Andean Condor | Carriel | Wax Palm | Orchid