Red Latanier
The red latanier ( Latania lontaroides ) is a Palmier which was formerly present in several islands of the Mascareignes and which is it today in a natural way only to the Réunion. It is also known besides under the name of latanier of the Meeting , even of apple latanier .
Synonyms: Cleophora lontaroides, Latania borbonica, Latania commersonii, Latania will rubra, Latania plagaecoma
Distribution
In a wild state, one hardly finds it but on the southern part of the island between Small-Island and Saint-Philippe, on cliffs and in the coastal gullies. He is threatened there by the Agriculture and the development of the human infrastructures.
Description
The red latanier is dioïque: males and females push separately.
Being able to reach 12 meters in height, it deploys at the end of its feather-grass (stem) gray and smooth of the green sheets in range which are initially red lasting the first years of its life, like the petioles. The edges of the limb and the principal veins are finely cogged.
Its fruits of four or five centimetres diameter are globulous or subglobuleux. Their endosperm is edible, but remain rather insipid.
Use
Being able to act as Plant of ornament and resistant to small gel, the red latanier is the subject of an international business.
Additional details
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Endémisme with the Meeting.