Carludovica palmata

Panama hat plant
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Pandanales
Family: Cyclanthaceae
Genus: Carludovica
Species:
C. palmata
Binomial name
Carludovica palmata
Ruiz & Pav. (1798)
Synonyms
  • Carludovica gigantea Kuntze
  • Carludovica incisa H.Wendl.
  • Carludovica jamaicensis Lodd. ex Fawcett & Harris
  • Ludovia palmata (Ruiz & Pav.) Pers.
  • Salmia jamaicensis Steud.
  • Salmia palmata (Ruiz & Pav.) Willd.

Carludovica palmata (Panama hat plant or toquilla palm) is a palm-like monocot plant. It is not a true palm. Its leaves are very similar compared to the leaves of some true palms, for example, to Chelyocarpus ulei. Unlike several true palms, C. palmata does not develop a woody trunk. Its female flowers (which mature first) have large stigmas, and its male flowers (which mature later) have a lot of pollen.

The Panama hat palm is cultivated from Central America to Bolivia. Its soft, flexible, and durable fibers are used to weave Panama hats and other items.

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