Copernicia

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Copernicia (family Palmae) A genus of big, solitary palms which have fan-shaped leaves. The inflorescences are axillary and much-branched, with subtending tubular bracts. Several species are of spectacular beauty and are in cultivation. C. cerifera yields carnauba wax. They occur in the lowland seasonal tropics, mainly in the W. Indies (especially Cuba), with 29 species in total.