Arecaceae FAMILY

Aiphanes acanthophylla

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Aiphanes acanthophylla is an intensely spiny, single-stemmed, evergreen palm growing up to 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 10 - 20cm in diameter; it has a mass of spiny prop roots at the base; is covered in numerous slender flattened black spines or prickles 1 - 4cm long; and is topped by a crown of around 10 - 12 leaves up to 3.5 metres long[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeCaribbean - Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico.

HabitatMoist limestone forests[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ].