Copernicia hospita habitat in Cuba

Two Copernicia hospita habitats in West-Central Cuba. The first is right outside the small town of Motembo in Villa Clara Province where Copernicia hospita is found growing alongside Coccothrinax miraguama. The Cuban government planted pine trees in the area for timber, but the pine trees did not grow well here and the efforts are being abandoned.

The second habitat is in Cienfuegos Province about 20 miles Northwest of the city of Cienfuegos. Here Copernicia hospita is growing alongside Copernicia curtissi in and around land used for cow pastures. Copernicia hospita and curtissi are very similar looking species. According to Duanny Suarez the way to tell them apart is that Hospita has stiffer, more rigid leaves, and thicker and more curved rachilla.