Palms   Syagrus vermicularis

Distribution & Habitat: Species discovered in 1994 in Aailandia, Maranho, Brazil, by Dr Larry Noblick of the Montgomery Botanical Center. Description: Medium sized, solitary, attractive palm to about 10m tall, with a smooth, green trunk thinly covered by a whitish velvety layer. It is crowned by a head of soft, glossy, pinnate leaves which form a graceful, arching canopy. The following description comes from CAB Extracts The most distinctive character of this new species lies in the structure of its inflorescence. The branches extend far beyond the flowering portion and continue as pale yellow, interfolding, sterile appendages. The tip of a newly emerged inflorescence is like a package of ramen noodles, all interfolded with one another. It may also look like a mass of worms and thus the epithet vermicularis, meaning worm-shaped, referring to the shape of primary branch tips. General: The following description comes from Montgomery Scientist Discovers New Palm The tight squiggling noodle or worm-like form of the palm's newly emerging inflorescence is the source for the name that Dr. Noblick chose for his newly discovered palm. "I was tempted to name the species something fun like Syagrus ramennoodlensis," Dr. Noblick told us. "But after careful consideration, I opted for something that sounded a bit more sophisticated." The species was officially christened Syagrus vermicularis (Latin for "resembling a worm"). Culture: Sunny, moist, but well drained position. Fast growing. Still rare in cultivation, but becoming more common.

Figure 1. S. vermicularis at Palmetum de Tenerife (Canary Islands).

Figure 2. S. vermicularis inflorescence (Palmetum de Tenerife).

Figure 3. S. vermicularis inflorescence close-up.

Links:	Montgomery Scientist Discovers New Palm
Contributed by:	Jose M. Zerolo (Figure 1)
	Carlo Moricci (Figure 2&3)

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