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Syagrus
romanzoffiana |
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The queen palm has undergone several name changes during the
twentieth century. In the early part of the century it was assigned the
scientific name Cocos plumosa, and became commonly known as the cocas
palm. However, in the 1940s, it was reclassified as the Arecastrum
romanzoffianum. This name lasted for several decades. Recently, however, its
scientific name was again changed. It is now known as Syagrus romanzoffiana.
The queen palm is native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina in South America.
This palm has a smooth straight gray trunk ringed with evenly spaced leaf scars
and topped with a large canopy of feathery fronds. The fronds are dark green and
have double rows of leaflets. This palm is noted for its spectacular clusters of
flowers and fruits. The flower clusters burst from large pods during the summer.
In early winter, the green fruit clusters appear. The spherical-shaped fruit
eventually turns bright orange, hanging in clusters up to six feet in length. In
each fruit there is a single hard seed with three spots. In Hawaii, this seed is
called the "monkeynut" and is used to make necklaces.
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