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Among
the first plants introduced in the Botanical Garden was a palm (Roystonea
oleracea), given to D. João by Luiz de Abreu
Vieira e Silva and planted by the Regent Prince himself. From that moment
on, the tree has been commonly known as the Royal or Imperial Palm.
In 1829, the palm bloomed for the first time. In order to give the Botanical Garden the monopoly of the species, Director Serpa Brandão had all the fruits taken from the palm and burned. Nevertheless, the slaves climbed the trees at night and sold the fruits, illegally. That was how the species spread all over the country, becoming the most popular palm of the native flora. The one planted by D.João was denominated Palma Mater. |
In 1972, the Palma Mater was struck by lightning. It was 38,70 meters high at the time.Its stem was preserved and can be seen at the Botanical Museum. The palm was replaced by another one, symbolically called
Palma Mater
- BGRJ Files
