Difference between revisions of "Chrysalidocarpus nauseosus"

Revision as of 13:50, 2 October 2012

• SUB CATEGORY PALMS OF MADAGASCAR

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Manombo, Madagascar. Photo by Dr. Henk Beentje, edric.

Dypsis nauseosa
Madagascar. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, edric.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Dypsis Species: nauseosa
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Rahoma, Mangidibe (Antaisaka, means very bitter), Laafa (general palm name).

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Madagascar. Known only from the coastal parts of Fianarantsoa Province. Eastern forest, possibly rather dry; alt. 50-200 m.

Description

Solitary palm. TRUNK 7.5-15 m. high, 20-25 cm. in diam., with a basal swelling 47-58 cm. in diam.; internodes 10-23 cm, pale brown, nodal scars about 3 cm; wood medium soft, white or pink. LEAVES small triangular part, ciliolate; staminodes six, flat, up to 0.7 mm high, pinnae weeping, but fairly regular, 7-10 in the crown. Young FRUIT fleshy; mature fruit not seen. SEED ellipsoid with slightly asymmetrical pointed base and rounded apex, 15-16 x 12-14 mm, with a very adherent endocarp, close-fitting, appearing fibrous at base but more distally so anastomosing that it seems a smooth coat with a few pits; sub-basal depression of 3 mm. in diam.; endosperm ruminate, the intrusions many, wavy and irregular, 2-6 mm deep. Large seed. Editing by edric.

Culture

Comments and Curiosities

We found this species some eighty years after the type (and up to that time, only) collection by Perrier, though we failed to find it on Vatovavy. The name indicates the supposed poisonous palm-heart, which is also reflected in local names. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).

"This is a species of palm tree from Madagascar. Only recently did one grow large enough in Hawaii that it could be identified acurately and matched up with plant material taken out of Madagascar. As an adult it has a nice, swollen crownshaft of blue-green with a hint of frosty tomentum on it. THe trunk is green ringed and slightly swollen at the base, very similar in look to that of a Kentia Palm. The leaves are just typical thin feather leaves, somewhat arching and neat- a very attractive palm. I just was lucky enough to see them growing to mature size in Thailand recently. From what I understand there are even larger ones in Hawaii." (Geoff Stein).

Conservation: Critical. Only known from two recent collections, both from areas where the forest is being cut down at a rapid rate. Less than twenty trees are known to exist. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).

Uses: Wood used for roofing beams, outer wood used for floorplanks. Palm-heart bitter, said to be poisonous.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.