Carnauba Wax Palm : Copernicia Prunifera
General information: The Carnauba Wax palm is a commonly grown in Brazil, but sometimes can be seen in Florida. This palm is famous for its wax that is obtained from the leaves. The wax is processed for use in floor, automobile waxes, floor, furniture polishes, cosmetics, lubricants, dental floss and sweets.
This Florida palm grows up to a height of 30 feet. It has a gray, slender, covered with unique spiral pattern of leaf bases trunk and costapalmate, waxy, blue green leaves. The leaf stems are long and covered with long spines.
Additional Information:
Common names: Carnaubeira palm, Brazilian wax palm, Wax palm
Growth rate: This Florida palm tree has slow growth rate.
Habitat: The Copernicia Prunifera is native to Brazil where it occurs along river banks streams, savannas and forests.
Maintenance: This Florida palm tree is easy to care for. It loves full sun and requires regular watering. It is moderately cold tolerant. The Copernicia Prunifera can take temperatures down to 26-28 F and can be grown in USDA zone 10 to 11. It is also moderatey drought and salt tolerant.
Uses: The Carnauba Wax palm is commonly used in Brazil for heat resistant wax found on its leaves. This plant is sometimes used as an ornamental in home landscapes in Florida.
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