Beaucarnea recurvata

Elephant ( Beaucarnea recurvata )

The elephant ( Beaucarnea recurvata ) is a plant of the genus Beaucarnea in the family of asparagus plants ( Asparagaceae ). The specific epithet recurvata means " curved back ". An English common name is " Ponytail Palm, Monja, Palma culona ".

Description

Beaucarnea recurvata grows as a succulent tree, reaching heights of growth of up to 9 meters. The at the base only moderately swollen trunk is about slim and little branched. The nearly spherical when young caudex is later 4 to 6 meters long and reaches to the base diameter of up to 50 inches and more. The bark is smooth. The green linealischen, slightly tapered and recurved leaves are thin, flat or slightly furrowed. They are 90 to 180 cm long and 15-20 mm wide.

The almost sedentary, broadly ovate to Rispige inflorescence reaches a length of more than 1 meter. Its branches are first-order up to 30 inches, the lower side branches up to 15 inches and the ramifications of up to 5 inches long. The 3 to 4 millimeters long circular capsule fruits are emarginate at the tip and the base.

Distribution and systematics

Beaucarnea recurvata is widespread in Mexico in the state of Veracruz in xerophytes regions. The species grows associated with Neobuxbaumia scoparia and selenicereus testudo.

The first description was in 1861 by Charles Lemaire. A synonym is nomenklatorisches Nolina recurvata ( Lem. ) Hemsl. (1884 ).

Beaucarnea recurvata one section Beaucarnea. It grows in dry tropical forests. It is characterized by irregularly branched trees with the thickened basal caudex. Typical are variable, falling, twisted leaves, whereas the related Beaucarnea stricta has stiff leaves.