Quindio Wax Palm

Quindio Wax Palm Overview

Ceroxylon quindiuense is a single-stemmed palm species in the Arecaceae family. It is also grown for animal food, as an ornamental plant and for fuel. Originating from Columbia, this plant is commonly known by the name Wax Palm for the thick layer of smooth wax coating the trunk. The trunk is coloured green-brown, but with the wax layer, appears silvery-white. This wax is harvested and used commercially. This species is the national tree of Columbia and it is the tallest palm plant in the world, capable of reaching a height of 60m! It is slow-growing and produces pinnately divided foliage coloured grey-green, leaves measure between 185-540cm in length. It generally develops a funnel-shaped crown and this plant is termed dioecious and thus produces unisexual flowers, containing either male or female reproductive organs. These gendered flowers are produced on individual plants. The individual flowers measure between 1.6-2cm in length and they are coloured cream-yellow, leading onto rounded, red-orange fruits.

Special features of Quindio Wax Palm

Attractive leaves