Difference between revisions of "Chrysalidocarpus nauseosus"

Revision as of 12:29, 19 October 2012

• SUB CATEGORY PALMS OF MADAGASCAR

<google>CH02</google>

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

Dypsis nauseosa
Madagascar.
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

( In the past the palm Dypsis ampansandavae was names Dypsis nauseosa, causing tons of confusion. )

As a seedling this palm grows like Dypsis lastelliana, but it has a larger seed. It has a pinnate first leaf. I am not positive but I think this palm was sold in the past as "Dypsis Highland Redneck or Dypsis hovitrendrina", (palmtodd)

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).

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.