Common Name: Wax Palm

General Information

Wax palm is a very slow-growing, but eventually tall, single-stemmed, pinnate palm, usually growing 8 - 20 metres tall, but with occasional plants up to 30 metres. The unbranched stem can be around 20cm in diameter; it is covered by a thin layer of wax; and is topped by 14 - 25, horizontally-spreading, large, dark green leaves, that are powdery white underneath[].
The plant is a source of wax, used locally for making candles, matches etc.
In Colombia, the species is particularly under threat from habitat conversion to agriculture, but trees survive in deforested areas or coffee plantations[]. Regeneration is poor[]. The tree has been classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela.

Habitat

Cloud forests at elevations above 2,000 metres in the Andes[, ]. Montane rain forest at elevations from 1,400 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of highland tropical areas where it is found at elevations above 2,000 metres[]. It dislikes hot weather[]. This species tolerates several degrees of short-lived frost in its native climate[], it can be grown outdoors in essentially frost-free temperate climates[].
Succeeds in most fertile moist but well-drained soils in a sheltered sunny position[]. Requires a humus-rich soil with bright filtered light and cool high humidity[].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. Palms can also often be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit. We have seen no reports for this species, but the fruit is probably edible[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A wax obtained from the trunk is used for making candles[].
A wax obtained from the leaves is used to make candles and wax matches[].

The young leaves are commonly cut at Easter for use in religious ceremonies on Palm Sunday[].

The wood is used for making fences and house walls[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse at not less than 24°c[]. Stored seed is very slow to germinate. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water prior to sowing may shorten the germination time. Plants form a long tap-root some time before forming a shoot so the seed is best sown in groups of two or three in each deep pot, thinning if necessary to the best seedling. Germination of fresh seed usually takes place in 3 - 4 months at 25°c[]. Grow on the plants in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters and plant out in the summer. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first few winters outdoors.

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