Accepted Scientific Name: Aiphanes horrida (Jacq.) Burret
Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 11: 575 (1932)
Origin and Habitat: Northern South America (Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago)
Type locality: Dist. Brion: along quebrada Agua Bendita, a tributary to Rio Aricagua, 2.3 km E of Pueblo Seco, 4.6 km E of Aricagua, 75 m, Miranda (Venezuela, Northern South America, Southern America)
Altitude: 0-1700 m asl.
Habitat: Dry forests.
Ecology: Bee and fly pollination has been reported for many members of the genus.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Aiphanes horrida
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Aiphanes horrida (Jacq.) BurretNotizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 11: 575 (1932)Synonymy: 24
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Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Coyure palm, Ruffle palm, Aculeata palm, Spine palm, Cohune palm, Corozo, Coyur palm
CHINESE (中文): Ci kong que ye zi, Ji nu zong lü
JAPANESE (日本語): Obire harikujaku yashi
PORTUGUESE (Português): Pupunha, Pupunha brava
SPANISH (Español): Cocos rura, Charascal, Chascara, Coyor, Palma de coyor, Palmera coyure, Palma hermosa, Corozo chiquito, Cubarro, Mararava, Corozo anchame, Corozo del Orinoco, Macahuite, Marará, Macagüita, Corozo, Chonta, Chascaraza, Pupunha xicaxica, Chonta ruro, Gualte, Pujamo, Mararay, Corozo colorado
Description: Aiphanes horridaSN|24764]]SN|24764]] is a solitary-stemmed, spiny feather-leafed tree palm usually 3 to 10 m tall in the wild, but up to 15 m tall in cultivation. It has a very characteristic crown of spiny broad ruffled fronds.
Stem: Pale grey 6 to10 cm in diameter but up to 15 cm diameter in optimal growing conditions, armed with dark sharp spines.
Leaves: 10 to 15 pinnate on pale spiny stalks and similar to those of the genus Caryota, hence the old name, but armed with long sharp spines similar to those of the stem on nearly all parts, even the leaf surfaces. Leaflets, 25-40 pairs, arranged irregularly in clusters of four to six that spread in different planes the leaflets light green, broad at the tips.
Inflorescence: Swinging from among the leaves, subtended by a woody spathe, also armed with spines.
Flowers: Orange, yellow.
Blooming season: Early summer, mid summer, late summer
Fruit. 1-2,3 cm in diameter, one-seeded, round usually bright red, but sometime orange or white, with an orange endocarp. The bony endocarp surrounding the seed has three pores near the middle.
Cultivation and Propagation: It is a small but handsome plant for the gardener, easy to grow that features unusual leaf form, rapid, clustering growth, and a manageable height Despite it spininess this palm is very popular with palm collectors. As mentioned the leaves form a very attractive crown, and the spines add a considerable degree of interest This palm is often grown in the botanical gardens worldwide.
Soils: It likes sandy soil, but is adaptable to clay and loam both slightly alkaline and acidic. Good drainage is also important. It is a medium fast grower, but it can grow fast given the right conditions of warmth and humidity, together with a rich soil and an abundance of water. Aïphanes aculeata vary in shape. Specimens raised in dry and/or infertile soils tend to be smaller in stature with smaller leaves. Light also affects the plant's form while those grown in full sun are more compact. Because it is shallow rooted, it should be planted in an area protected from wind.
Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements or slow release fertilizer. Micronutrient deficiencies are occasional problems. If it doesn't get enough Mn and Fe, the leaves take on a rather unhealthy yellow colour. Micronutrient deficiencies only show up on soil with a high pH.
Water Requirements: It has a moderate drought tolerance, but for healthy growth it needs regular water, however it does not want to sit in continually wet, mucky soil. The roots and lower trunk can rot if soil is kept too moist.
Light: This attractive palm can be grown full sun to part shade, but young plants like a bit of shade while older specimens do best in full sun.
Hardiness: It is cultivated in subtropical and warm temperate regions. Young plants grown in containers must be kept warmer than 10º Celsius. USDA Zones: 11 to 12
Maintenance: Prune diseased, damaged or drying fronds, but do not prune if the frond still has some green colour. Palms recycle nutrients from dead or dying fronds and use them for healthier fronds. Palms only have a set number of new leaves that can sprout and grow per year and removing fronds will not increase that number. If you cut off more than what will grow annually, you could be left with a pretty bare and bald palm.
Roots: Not a problem.
Uses: Either as a single specimen or in groups, this is a strikingly beautiful species. It is used to accent residential landscapes. Can be grown indoors with only moderate, or average indoor light conditions. A shaded patio will provide an excellent environment for young specimens which can eventually be planted in the ground as the grow bigger.
Traditional uses: The epicarp and mesocarp of the fruits are rich in carotene and are eaten in Colombia, while the seeds are used to make candles. In parts of the Colombian Llanos endocarps are used to play games.
Pests and diseases: It is relatively free of diseases and insect infestations.
Warning: Trunk, leaves and other part of the plant are armed by very sharp spines and should be handled with care.
Propagation: Fresh seeds germinate in 1-2 months in warm media and the seedlings are very attractive.
