Rigid Coccotrinax: a Treasure of Eastern Holguin
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Photo: ACNThe eastern region of Holguin treasures the rigid Coccothrinax, palm species endemic of Cuba, whose populations were rediscovered after 150 years without existing records of them. Described for the first time in the 19th century by the American scientist Charles Wright, the plant was relocated in the cliff of La Catalina, in the municipality of Sagua de Tánamo, in the Holguin Turquino Plan.
Thin and elongated stems and rounded leaves identify this palm, a treasure for botany in the eastern territory, where there are a thousand species of flora and fauna.
Omar Leyva, specialist of the Holguin Botanical Garden, told the ACN the importance of preserving the species through environmental education actions, including the publication of audiovisual materials, educational talks and conferences.
In the ecosystems of eastern Holguin, he said, there are also other very old palm trees, including coccotrinax moaensis, discovered by US scientists in 1971.
Cuba treasures more than 100 species of palms, including the Jata de Guanabacoa, the Petate and the Barrigona, native to the Caribbean island, reports the Biological Biodiversity website.
It also refers other valuable species such as Palma Corcho, endemic to Pinar del Rio and Roystonea Regia or Palma Real, symbol of Cuban fields. / ACN
