Common Name: Carnauba Palm

General Information

Copernicia prunifera is a large, evergreen fan palm with a single stem, usually growing 7 - 10 metres tall but with some specimens up to 15 metres. The unbranched stem can be 15 - 25cm in diamete; it is topped by a crown of fan-shaped leaves that can be 1 metre long on a petiole that is also 1 metre long[, ].
The plant is extensively cultivated, almost entirely in Brazil, for the wax that can be obtained from the leaves[]. It is also often grown as an ornamental in tropical areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - northeastern Brazil.

Habitat

Dry forest areas of Brazil, growing along rivers in valleys, often in areas subject to periodic inundation and periodic drought[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants succeed in moist tropical climates where temperatures never fall below 10°c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain[]. 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[].
Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[]. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil[]. Succeeds in saline soils[].
A slow-growing plant[].

Edible Uses

The pith of the trunk is rich in starch and is used to make sago[].

An edible gum is obtained from the trunk[].

Young inflorescences[].

The seed is used as a coffee substitute[].

Leaves - cooked[]. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots[].

Medicinal

The roots are depurative and diuretic. A decoction is considered a specific treatment for syphilis, and is also used in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, dermal afflictions and oedema[].

A wax obtained from the leaves is used in the preparation of ointments and cataplasms[].

Other Uses

A high quality wax is obtained from the lower surfaces of the leaves[, ]. It is very hard and has a high melting point[]. It is used to make various high quality polishes and varnishes, phonographic records, lubricants, soaps, candles etc[, , ].

The leaves can be used for thatching and weaving into articles such as mats, baskets and hats[, ]. The leaves (probably the fibre from them[]) are used to make ropes[].

An oil is obtained from the seeds[].

The wood is soft, moderately heavy, long-lasting in salty water, easy to work. It is used for fencing, rustic buildings, laths, lathe work such as walking sticks etc[, ]. The whole stems are used for poles[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - there is no need to separate the seeds from the fruit before sowing. If stored seed is used then pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water. Sow the seed in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers[]. The seed can take 2 - 3 months to germinate[]. Sprouting is slow, with a low germination rate[]. Young seedlings grow slowly[].

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