Raphia taedigera

Name and publication

Raphia taedigera (Mart.) Mart., Hist. nat. pal. 3: 216 (1838).

Description

Fruits of the pinecone palm or yolillo palm are variously called “brazilia pods,” “uxi nuts,” or “uxi pods” in the potpourri trade. The fruits resemble a hard, glossy, unopened pine cone, 5-7 cm long x 3-4 cm wide. Sometimes a beak is present at the tip of the cone-like fruit, but this often breaks off in processing.

Nativity and distribution

Raphia taedigera is native to South America.

Family

Arecaceae (alt. Palmae)

Synonymy

Sagus taedigera Mart.