Cryosophila
| Cryosophila | |
|---|---|
| Cryosophila warscewiczii at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew | |
| Root spines on the trunk of Cryosophila warscewiczii. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Subfamily: | Coryphoideae |
| Tribe: | Cryosophileae |
| Genus: | Cryosophila Blume |
| Species | |
|
See text | |
| Synonyms: 6 | |
| |
Cryosophila is a genus of medium-sized fan palms that range from central Mexico to northern Colombia. Species in the genus can be readily distinguished from related genera by their distinctive downward-pointing spines on the stem, which are actually modified roots. They are known as the "root spine palms".