Ceroxylon quindiuense aka Quindio Wax Palm

Ceroxylon quindiuense is known as the Andean wax palm. It belongs to the palm family, Arecaceae. Kew lists its native range as Colombia and northern Peru. It grows on damp slopes in high Andean cloud forests. This evergreen palm grows slowly and keeps one main stem. Its cool, humid home shapes its needs in gardens.

Garden references give a height of about 66 feet (20 metres). They list a spread of 13 feet (4 metres). Forest trees can grow far taller than this garden size. Useful Tropical Plants reports heights of 49–164 feet (15–50 metres). It notes rare trees reaching 197 feet (60 metres). PACSOA reports an upper height of 230 feet (70 metres). The tall, bare trunk has no branches. A wax coat covers the mature stem. Pale and grey rings mark its surface. The crown holds 18–30 large leaves that spread outwards. Leaves have dark green tops and pale, woolly undersides.

The flowers are small and do not draw much notice. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Seed production therefore needs palms of both sexes. Large groups of bright red fruit hang below the crown. Birds and mammals eat the fruit and spread the seeds. PACSOA names toucans, parrots, and spectacled bears among its visitors. Human food use is less clear. PFAF suggests the fruit may be edible, but lacks confirmed reports. The sources list no known hazards; this does not prove safety.

Give this palm rich soil that stays moist but drains well. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It also tolerates mildly acid through mildly alkaline soil. Sources allow sun or partial shade in a sheltered spot. Bright, filtered light suits its need for cool, humid air. Brief light frosts may not kill established palms. Young plants need more cold protection than older ones. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–11, but also favours near-frost-free outdoor sites. Fresh seed can take three to four months to sprout. Stored seed can take much longer.

The palm serves as an avenue tree in Colombia. Garden references also suggest sheltered woodland sites and warm wall positions. People use wax from its trunk to make candles. No medicinal uses are known in the supplied sources. Useful Tropical Plants cites a 2011 Vulnerable Red List assessment. Farming has reduced its habitat. Leaf harvest for religious events adds pressure on wild trees. Removal of adults for ornamental planting also threatens populations. Grazing animals may eat young plants, which slows their replacement.