Scientific name: Coccothrinax clarensis var. clarensis

POWO Status: Shrub or Tree

IUCN Red List threat level: Not Evaluated

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 53.33″ N, 64° 49′ 46.00″ W

Observations:

Phenological Markers – Coccothrinax clarensis var. clarensis

Common Name: Clarens Palm
Scientific Name: Coccothrinax clarensis (Barb. Rodr.) Becc. var. clarensis
Family: Arecaceae (Palm family)

Leaf Phenology

Leaf Type: Fan-shaped (palmate) leaves with a deep cut, creating distinct segments
Evergreen/Semi-deciduous: Evergreen
Leaf Flush: New leaves emerge during the rainy season or when moisture is abundant
Senescence: Older leaves may yellow and drop, particularly during dry seasons or after prolonged periods without rainfall
Phenological Indicator: The emergence of bright green, segmented fan leaves, particularly following rainfall or during warmer months

Flowering

Inflorescence: Small, white to cream-colored flowers arranged in branched clusters (panicles)
Blooming Period (Tropics): Primarily during the rainy season, but flowering can be triggered by rainfall in tropical climates year-round
Pollinators: Likely pollinated by wind and small insects, such as beetles or ants
Phenological Indicator: Appearance of inflorescences emerging from the leaf axils, with flowers gradually opening from the bottom of the panicle upwards

Fruiting

Fruit Type: Small, round, dark purple to black drupe
Fruit Development: Fruits develop shortly after flowering and typically mature over several months
Dispersal: Dispersed primarily by birds, though gravity also plays a role
Phenological Indicator: Formation of clusters of green fruit that ripen to dark purple or black, visible in late summer to early fall

Suggested Photo Angles

• Full palm in context to show the overall shape of the trunk and canopy of fan-shaped leaves
• Close-up of individual leaves, highlighting the deep segmentation and texture
• Flowering panicles with emerging buds or open flowers
• Developing and mature fruits, focusing on the color transition from green to dark purple or black
• Leaf flush during new growth periods or older leaf senescence

Notes for Monitoring

The species is slow-growing and often used as an ornamental palm in gardens or conservation areas

Flowering and fruiting cycles are typically synchronized with seasonal rainfall, which may vary depending on local climate conditions

Coccothrinax clarensis is found in tropical coastal habitats, typically in dry to semi-dry environments, where it thrives in well-drained soils