PLATE XLVI.Attalea speciosa,Martius.
Uauassú,Lingoa Geral.
Uauassú,Lingoa Geral.
Uauassú,Lingoa Geral.
This noble palm has the stem fifty or sixty feet high, straight, cylindrical and nearly smooth. The leaves are very large, terminal and regularly pinnate. The leaflets are elongate, rigid, closely set together, and spreading out flat on each side of the midrib. The sheathing bases of the petioles are persistent for a greater or less distance down the stem, and in young trees down to the ground, as in theŒnocarpus batawá.
The spadices grow from among the leaves and are large and simply branched. The fruit is of large size compared with most American palms, being about three inches long, and from this circumstance it derives its native name “Uauassú,” signifying “large fruit.”
The foliage of this tree is very extensively used for thatching. The young plants produce very large leaves before the stem is formed, and it is in this state that they are generally used. The unopened leaves from the centre are preferred, as, though they require some preparation, they produce a more uniform thatch. The leaf is shaken till it falls partially open, and then each leaflet is torn at the base so as to remain hanging by its midrib only, which is however quite sufficient to secure it firmly. They thus hang all at right angles tothe midrib of the leaf, which admits of their being laid in a very regular manner on the rafters. They are generally known as “palha branca” or “white thatch,” from the pale yellow colour of the unopened leaves, and are considered the best covering for houses in places where Bussú cannot be obtained.
This species grows on the dry forest lands of the Upper Amazon. On the Rio Negro a stemless species called “Curuá” (Attalea spectabilis) is found and is often used for thatching. On the Lower Amazon and in the neighbourhood of Pará theAttalea excelsais not uncommon. It is a handsome lofty species which grows on lands flooded at high tides, and is called by the natives Urucurí. The fruit of this tree is burnt, and the smoke is used to black the newly made india-rubber. Martius says that the fruit of theA. speciosais used for this purpose, but that species is not found in the principal rubber districts, while theA. excelsais abundant there.
Several species ofAttaleaare cultivated in the Palm House at Kew.
Plate III. fig. 1. is a fruit ofAttalea spectabilisof the natural size.
GenusMaximiliana,Martius.
Some spadices with only male flowers, others with . male and female flowers on the same tree. Spathes large, complete, woody. Flowers with bracts. Male flowers with three or six stamens, and with a minute rudimentary pistil. Female flowers with a short style and three stigmas, and rudimentary stamens forming a membranaceous cup.
The stems of these magnificent Palms are tall, erect and smooth. The leaves are very large and irregularly pinnate. The bases of the petioles are persistent, often covering the stem quite down to the ground. The spathe is woody, complete, longitudinally cut and beaked. The spadices grow from among the lower leaves and are simply branched, but very densely clustered with the fruit, which is ovate, and has a dry external covering.
Only three species of this genus are known, all very handsome plants. One is a native of the West India Islands, one of Brazil, and a third is common in the Amazon district.
Pl. XLVII.W. Fitch lith.Ford & West Imp.MAXIMILIANA REGIA Ht. 80 Ft.
Pl. XLVII.W. Fitch lith.Ford & West Imp.MAXIMILIANA REGIA Ht. 80 Ft.
Pl. XLVII.W. Fitch lith.Ford & West Imp.MAXIMILIANA REGIA Ht. 80 Ft.