This majestic, large palm is a close relative of the magnificent Copernicia baileyana and Copernicia fallaensis. It is native to coastal eastern Cuba, where it grows in
savanna and dry woodlands at low elevations. It forms a very thick and sturdy, smooth, slightly ventricose, whitish gray trunk that can reach about 20 m (67 ft.) tall. The trunk supports a dense, stiffly
ascending crown of numerous very rigid, wedge-shaped, bluish green leaves with broad petioles. Even though very rarely seen in cultivation, it is best suited to tropical climates and will also succeed in some warm
temperate regions.