Copernicia alba Caranday Palm, Caranda Palm, Caranda Palm Wax PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Taxonomic Note: This genus was formerly classified in the family Palmae. Modern classifications include it within the Arecaceae. Copernica alba or commonly known as Candaray Palm or Wax Palm is an evergreen palm tree in Southern and Western South America that grows up to 25 m in height and 40 cm in girth. It has a cylindrical trunk with greyish, smooth bark. The plant is known for the high quality wax obtained from its leaves. The wax is used to make polishes. The leaves are also used as thatch material and for weaving mats, baskets, and hats. The white wood is resistant and durable, and used for poles, fencing, and building. The fruits are eaten fresh or used for juice and alcoholic drinks. Tips of young plants are also edible.

Physical Characteristics

Copernicia alba is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Copernicia australis Becc. Copernicia nigra Morong Copernicia ramulosa Burret Copernicia rubra Moron

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Shoots
Edible Uses: Drink

The fruit are eaten fresh or used for juice and for alcoholic drinks. The tips of young plants can be eaten.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Basketry Fencing Polish Thatching Wax Weaving Wood

Other Uses: A high quality wax is obtained from the leaves[ 297 ]. It is used to make various high quality polishes[ 297 ]. The leaves can be used for thatching[ 46 , 297 ], and weaving into articles such as mats, baskets and hats[ 297 , 768 ]. The white wood is resistant and durable[ 46 ]. It is used for telegraph poles, fencing and building[ 46 , 297 , 768 ]. landscape uses: Pest tolerant, Specimen Plant. Blooms are very showy

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Plants succeed in moist tropical climates where temperatures never fall below 10c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain[ 297 ]. They can also succeed in drier areas with an annual rainfall as low as 250mm and one month or more where rainfall is below 25mm[ 297 ]. Plants can tolerate occasional light frosts with temperatures down to -2c[ 423 ]. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[ 297 ]. Prefers a position in light shade[ 423 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in warm water and sow in containers. The seed can take 2 - 3 months to germinate[ 297 ]. Fresh seed germinates easily[ 314 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Copernica alba or commonly known as Candaray Palm or Wax Palm

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Brazil (south), Bolivia, Argentina, Paraguay

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Copernicia prunifera	Brazilian Wax Palm, Carnauba Palm, Carnauba Wax	Tree	12.0	10-12	S	LMH	N	M	3	3	4

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

Morong. ex Morong. & Britton.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Copernicia alba - Morong. ex Morong. & Britton.