Tas. 5180. 
COCOS pLuMosSA. 
Feathery-flowered Cocoa-nut. 
Nat. Ord. Patma.—Monecra HexanpDRia. 
Gen. Char. (essentialis). Monoica in eodem spadice. Spatha simplex. Flores 
sessiles, bracteolati. Masc.: Calyx triphyllus. Corolla tripetala. Stamina 6. 
Rudimentum pistilli. Foem.: Calyx triphyllus et corolla 3-petala, convoluta. 
Ovarium triloculare. Stigmata tria sessilia. -Drupa monosperma, putamine basi 
triporo. Embryo in albumine cavo, intra porum basilaris. Mart. 
Cocos plumosa,* Hook. ; elata; caudice 30-40-pedali et ultra crassiusculo cylin- 
draceo annuloso-articulato, articulis pedalibus et ultra, frondibus 12—14- 
pedalibus, pinnis sesquipedalibus solitariis vel 2-4-aggregatis linearibus 
acuminatis apicibus deflexis, petiolis inermibus basi dilatata amplexante 
fimbriato-fibrosa, spatha bi-tripedali fusiformi sublignoso, spadicis ramis 
longis pendentibus, floribus copiosis sessilibus. 
This truly noble Palm, long cultivated at Kew, produced its 
blossoms in the summer and autumn of 1859, probably for 
the first time in Europe, and was received many years ago 
from Messrs. Loddiges as a Brazilian species to which Von Mar- 
tius had given the name of Cocos coronata, equally a native of 
Brazil, but whose character assuredly does not accord with the 
specific character given by Martius of that Palm: for we do 
not find the base of the petiole “spinescent” at the margin, 
nor does the caudex at the setting on of the persistent petioles 
become “ crasso-capitate,” nor are the branches of the spadix 
“erect,” but singularly and gracefully drooping. Nor does it 
accord with any other described species of the genus; so that I 
am compelled, as it were, against my will, to give it a new name, 
and to notice it as a new species, to which I give an appellation 
characteristic of the beautiful and elegant branches of the pa- 
nicle. 
Descr. The Palm, now under consideration, forms a striking 
feature in the Palm-stove of the Royal Gardens, where it has, 
including its crown of leaves, attained a height of between fifty 
and sixty feet. The caudew, or trunk, forms a graceful erect 
* Cocos plumosa of Lodd, Cat. (without character or description). C. comosa, 
Mart. 
may Ist, 1860. 
