Pomona College Journal op Economic Botany 



409 



silvery-white on their lower surfaces. The floivers are small, have 8-9 stamens 

 and are more or less pedicellate. The fruit is spherical, 8-9 mm. in diameter ; 

 the seed is 6.5-7 mm. in diameter and is marked by 4-5 vertical folds. 

 (Figure 168). 



This is one of the most peculiar, and at the same time one of the better 

 known palms of Cuba, where apparently it is rather widely distributed (see 

 Webbia 1. c). It grows also in the Isla de Pinos according to the specimens 

 distributed by Curtiss (n. 423), but these specimens differ slightly from those 

 of the larger island in having almost sessile flowers. (Figure 169). 



^ Figure 169. Coccothrinax tniraguano (novo geronensis). a, portion of a flowering 

 branchlet (the flowers are sessile); b, inner view of a flower, from which the 

 ovary has been removed; c, flower seen from behind; d, seed, lower surface 

 in the center is the hilum; e, seed, upper surface; f, seed, transverse section; 

 g, longitudinal section of a seed through the embryo; in this section the albumen 

 seems homogeneous, the cut not having severed any fold of the integument. 

 From Curtiss No. 423. 



Vernacular names: "Miraguano, Yuraguano, Guanichiche. " 

 Coccothrinax rigida Becc. in Webbia di U. Mart., II, 299. Thrinax rigida 



Gris. et Wendl. in Gris. Cat. PI. cub. 221 ; Sauv. Fl. Cub. n. 2377. 



This is known only by the specimens distributed by Wright with n. 

 3220, probably collected in the east of the island. 



It is evidently related to C. miraguano, but it is a smaller plant, the 

 leaves have fewer, narrower, and less stiff divisions, and these are devoid 

 of the beautiful silvery coating on the lower surface. The flowers are sessile ; 

 the fruits are unknown. (Figure 170). 



