Copernicia
(named in honour of the celebrated German astronomer, Copernicus). ORD. Palmae. A very small genus of about eight species of unarmed stove Palms, with erect trunks, covered with the remnants of the leafstalks. Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, on axillary spadices. Leaves fan-shaped, palmate, tufted. For culture, see Corypha. The best-known species, and the only one worthy of being described here, is C. cerifera.
C. cerifera (wax-bearing).* Carnauba or Wax Palm of Brazil. This species is of economic value; the upper part of the stem yields a kind of sago; the young leaves are coated with wax, which is detached by shaking them, and then melted and run into cakes. Brazil.
Other species are: hospita, macroglossa, maritima, tectorum, and Wrightii.