unknown spiny palm in Puerto Rico

[Cindy Adair]

I posted some photos of this palm last year, but there wasn't a consensus even on the genus. So I took more pictures and now see that it's clumping. Even though I may be risking bodily harm from the spines, I'd like to label this palm. By the way, the spines are bad, but not as intimidating as the Astrocaryum muru muru around the corner. Thanks for your help!

[Xenon]

Calyptronoma rivalis?

Native Palms of Puerto Rico

Jonathan

[AggiePalms]

OK, taking an initial stab out of lack of discernment between the American spiny species, my first guess would have been Acrocomia aculeata...but the leaf habit doesn't look quite right, and you say it is clumping, so Acrocomia can't be right. Is it a native or just planted there? It looks nice, either way.

[Cindy Adair]

Calyptronoma rivalis?

Native Palms of Puerto Rico

Jonathan

Great link! I wasn't growing tropical palms in 2006 so hadn't seen that post and it's very useful! Thanks!

[Cindy Adair]

OK, taking an initial stab out of lack of discernment between the American spiny species, my first guess would have been Acrocomia aculeata...but the leaf habit doesn't look quite right, and you say it is clumping, so Acrocomia can't be right. Is it a native or just planted there? It looks nice, either way.

Could have been planted by the previous owner or could be native-no idea which...

[Tulio]

Bactris gasipaes

[Xenon]

Calyptronoma rivalis?

Native Palms of Puerto Rico

Jonathan

Great link! I wasn't growing tropical palms in 2006 so hadn't seen that post and it's very useful! Thanks!

I think I started learning multiplication in 2006..

[Moose]

Bactris gasipaes

I agree on Bactris possible gasipaes. Calyptronoma genus is spineless.

[NatureGirl]

It's Aiphanes minima, they're native there and I've gotten seeds from PR lots of times.

[paulgila]

isnt bactris clumping? this one appears to be single.

[Ken Johnson]

"Peachy" palm.

[Cindy Adair]

isnt bactris clumping? this one appears to be single.

I was guessing all the little palms in the first picture meant it was starting to clump. I know it's hard to see in our "jungle". Do you think those are separate seedlings instead?

[Cindy Adair]

It's Aiphanes minima, they're native there and I've gotten seeds from PR lots of times.

When I looked at photos of Aiphanes minima, the leaflets seem attractively blunted compared to the tapered tips on my palm. However I've never (knowingly) seen A. minima so really don't know.

[Cindy Adair]

"Peachy" palm.

I see that PACSOA describes the spines as black, otherwise looks like a match to me. Do you know if the spines are sometimes light brown rather than black? Bleached out by the sun perhaps?

[Trópico]

It's Aiphanes minima, they're native there and I've gotten seeds from PR lots of times.

When I looked at photos of Aiphanes minima, the leaflets seem attractively blunted compared to the tapered tips on my palm. However I've never (knowingly) seen A. minima so really don't know.

Is not Aiphanes minima. I am also leaning towards a Bactris gasipaes but I don't know if Bactris spines are limited only to the trunk, which our palm in question seems to be.

[Eric in Orlando]

Its definitely Bactris gasipaes, Peach Palm.

[Cindy Adair]

Its definitely Bactris gasipaes, Peach Palm.

Thank you all! I think Bactris gasipaes makes the most sense to me. I guess after I make a label I need to decide whether I want all those clumping ones at the bottom to mature or remove the small ones before they extend the "hazard space of potential impalement" to a larger area... I'm leaning toward trying to contain the risk by selective palm reduction/partial palmicide. I do like the larger palm and look forward to seeing and perhaps tasting the fruit.

[Jeff in St Pete]

I would say it's B. gasipaes also.

There is a spineless form available too!

[Cindy Adair]

I would say it's B. gasipaes also.

There is a spineless form available too!

Thanks! On a side note, I also enjoyed all the lovely photos on the Costa Rican Palm society website mentioned below your name on your response, but would love a list of names to go with the photos. In many cases I think I have tiny seedlings growing of some of the species, but have never seen larger plants to compare.If you or anyone has a chance to post the names it helps me learn!