BANGOR, Wales — The global flower trade threatens a rare palm because its leaves' ability to stay green long after being cut is attractive to florists, British botanists say.
Leaves of the xate palm (pronounced shah-tay) are mostly harvested from wild trees found in Central and South America, and increased use is threatening the species' long term survival, a study warns.
Training locals to cultivate the trees, to lessen the pressure on the wild population, has met with limited success, the study said.
The qualities of the tree's leaves mean they are in great demand, particularly on Mother's Day and Palm Sunday, experts said.
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