Copernicia cerifera vs. alba - comparison pictures

[MattyB]

Now that my Copernicia cerifera and C. alba are getting larger I can see the subtle differences between the two. I know people often ask how to tell them apart, so maybe these pics will be helpful. I just cut about 40 lower fronds off so they're showing a bit of trunk now, which makes comparison easier to see.]

Here's the overall shot with their big brother Bismarckia on top, C. alba in middle, and C. cerifera on bottom.

C. alba on left, C. cerifera on right

[MattyB]

Copernicia cerifera

Smaller, more numerous, leaf bases.

Thinner petioles.

Smaller spines.

Slightly smaller overall crown spread.

[MattyB]

Copernicia alba

Larger, less numerous leaf bases.

Wider petioles.

Larger spines.

Slightly larger overall crown spread.

[MattyB]

As I'm viewing these pics it's apparent that it's not as easy to tell the differences as I experienced as I was handling all those fronds I cut off. But there's definitely a difference.

[quaman58]

Great comparison pictures Matty. The growth rates you have going on are ridiculous. Great looking palms..

[Got Palms]

Good looking palms Matty, once again wish i had more room!

[Mauna Kea Cloudforest]

Those look fabulous! I prefer the cerifera, it looks prettier. But they're both nice. The only Copernicia I seem to be able to grow is bailayana. My prunifera is nearly dead and my alba hasn't moved much in a year. Even the alba in my greenhouse is not growing much.

[Mandrew968]

I don't think cerifera is a valid name. Matty, both palms look great. The alba I have has these crazy petiole swings in length, changing with the seasons. Weird palm how it seasonally blows up for me-does it do that where you live?

[Sabal Steve]

How is this different than Copernicia prunifera?

[MattyB]

I thought cerifera and prunifera were synonymous. Is prunifera the valid name then?

Mandrew, I noticed that changing petiole length too. I thought it was due to the car port blocking the sun in the winter.

[Mandrew968]

Oh, ok. I see--cerifera is a synonym for prunifera. Matty, didn't you have a thread on prunifera and alba differences? I seem to remember flower structure was the main difference that was concluded on... To me, they very much look alike. Makes me wonder if I have a prunifera or an alba, like it was sold to me as!

[Sabal Steve]

http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=46688

[Mandrew968]

It's an older photo but you can see the dramatic petiole length discrepancy...