Wax Palms in Disney's 'Encanto'

Image Credit; Courtesy of Disney Studios from ‘Encanto’

With Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” making airwaves online., Disney’s animated film ‘Encanto’ should be familiar even to those who have yet to see the film. Set in Colombia, the film centers on the Madrigal family whose family members are blessed with magical powers (save for one unfortune or fortunate member). Its directors Byron Howard and Jared Bush traveled to Colombia with Miranda to study and pay respect to the country’s motley culture of peoples, foods, and landscapes. One of their destinations was Cocora Valley where the cloud-shrouded terrain inspired and provided the setting for the Madrigal family’s magical house (see above). Whereas other animators would have taken creative liberties for their settings, the ‘Encanto’ team paid careful attention to the valley’s iconic wax palms (Ceroxylon quindiuense). Growing up to 200’ tall, their towering silvery trunks are an unmistakable feature of Cocora Valley. Even the developing inflorescences and fruits are rendered on these palms.