Palmetum of Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Biogeographical Sections

Biogeographical Sections

The surface of the hill is divided in "biogeographical sections", in order to host the palm flora from different areas of the world. They are variable in size between 1.000 and 20.000 m2. Some sections are landscaped with hills, streams, ponds or waterfalls. Sections are listed below with some of the most remarkable species represented.

• Biogeographical Section of the Caribbean Islands. It is the largest of all. A large waterfall built with local rock pours water into a pond surrounded by fair sand and coconut palms. There is one of the most complete collections of the genus Coccothrinax. There are adult specimens of Acrocomia, different species of Copernicia, such as Copernicia ekmanii y Copernicia baileyana. Some other palms are Syagrus amara, Pseudophoenix sargentii, Sabal palmetto, Acoelorraphe wrightii, Zombia antillarum, different species of royal palms (Roystonea), Gaussia and Hemithrinax.

• Biogeographical Section of South America. Some of the palms planted in this area are: Syagrus botryophora, Syagrus vermicularis, Syagrus sancona, Allagoptera caudescens, Mauritiella armata, Ceroxylon alpinum, three species of Trithrinax, various Butia, and Attalea.

• Biogeographical Section of New Caledonia, with Kentiopsis oliviformis, Chambeyronia macrocarpa, Burretiokentia, various Araucaria trees and other plants endemics to New Caledonia.

• Biogeographical Section of Hawaii, with various species of the genus Pritchardia, such as Pritchardia minor, Pritchardia munroi and Pritchardia hillebrandii. Other trees native to the Hawaiian islands grow in this section, like Acacia koa, Erythrina sandwicensis, and Hibiscus arnottianus var. immaculatus,

• Biogeographical Section of Australia. The genera represented are Ptychosperma, Livistona, Archontophoenix, Corypha, Carpentaria, Normambya, Wodyetia.

• Biogeographical Section of Indochina, with Arenga porphyrocarpa, Areca triandra, Corypha umbraculifera, Chuniophoenix, Rhapis, Arenga engleri, Arenga pinnata, Wallichia disticha, Livistona saribus, Livistona rotundifolia and Licuala spinosa, among others.

• Biogeographical Section of the Mascarene Islands, planted with species of the genera Hyophorbe, Latania and Dictyosperma.

• Biogeographical Section of Africa, with Raphia australis, Borassus aethiopum, Jubaeopsis caffra, Elaeis guineensis, Hyphaene.

• Biogeographical Section of Madagascar. This section includes a lawn with a large group of Bismarckia nobilis and Dypsis cabadae. Many palms are scattered around a large lake, such as Beccariophoenix, Ravenea glauca, Ravenea rivularis and many species in the genus Dypsis. A Malgasy Baobab, Adansonia madagascariensis, grows by the lake, and other endemic trees have been planted in the area.

• Biogeographical Section of Central America. Remarkable palms are: Attalea cohune, Sabal mauritiiformis, Sabal mexicana, Sabal yapa, Gaussia maya, many Acoelorraphe wrightii and some species in the genus Brahea and Chamaedorea.

• Biogeographical Section of New Guinea. This area was started in 2007 in a formerly barren area surrounding a large pond. It now has young specimens of Cocos nucifera, Livistona, Ptychosperma, Rhopaloblaste, Salacca, Areca and many dicotiledonous trees planted to provide shade.

• Biogeographical Section of Borneo and Philippines. A new area planted in 2007-2008, with young specimens of Cocos nucifera, Arenga pinnata, Adonidia merrillii, Heterospathe and many dicotiledonous trees.

• Biogeographical Section of "Termophilous woodland of the Canary Islands". This is the large North-facing valley of the hill, planted with the local flora native to the Canary Islands. There are many Canary Islands Date Palms, Phoenix canariensis and other native species such as dragon trees (Dracaena draco), Pancratium canariensis and Apollonias barbujana.