Physokentia petiolata (Burret) D.Fuller, Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 83: 208 (1999)

Primary tabs

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Content

Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Fiji present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Endemic to Fiji and known only from the island of Viti Levu. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Grows as an understorey palm in upper montane rainforests and mossy cloud forests at altitudes of 750-1250 m. Known to flower and fruit April-May. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Conservation

  • This palm species is common in areas that are protected for watershed management purposes (Monasavu Hydroelectric Dam Project). However, on the basis of collection data and disturbance of some P. petiolatus habitat in other areas (e.g., Navai) by logging activities, this taxon should be considered rare. Dick Phillips (pers. comm.) has had limited success cultivating this species in Fiji, and so far I have no reports of successful cultivation of P. petiolatus outside of Fiji. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Etymology

  • Named for the prominent leaf petiole. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Common Name

  • tagadanu (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Uses

  • No uses recorded. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Description

  • Trunk erect, to 8 m tall, 10 cm diam., green, with irregular leaf scars, with a cone of prickly stilt roots to 1 m long, ca. 4 cm diam., reddish. Leaves pinnate, 8-10 in crown, stiffly spreading to ascending; sheaths forming a prominent crownshaft to 50 cm long, thickened at base, olive-green, sometimes pink flushed to red toward base; petiole to 22 cm long; pinnae 25-35 per side, dull green, once ribbed, acute with decurved margins, to 70 X 4 cm. Inflorescence infrafoliar, to 50 cm long, branched to three orders, red in bud becoming green in fruit. Flowers in spirally arranged triads, with triads along proximal half, sometimes to distal portions; staminate flowers to 5 mm long; petals 3, deep rose-red; stamens 6 with white anthers; pistillode trifid; pistillate flowers to 5 mm long; petals dark rose-red; sepals strongly imbricate. Fruit globose, to 2 cm diam., dark red at maturity; endocarp angled, keeled and longitudinally ridged. Seed same shape as fruit, 1.2 cm long, 1 cm diam. Eophyll pinnate. (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Materials Examined

  • Additional specimens examined: Fiji: Viti Levu: Ba Province: Vuninatabua, Navai, 750-900 m, 4 Feb-26 Mar 1941, Degener 14792 (A, K, BISH, UC, US); Ridge from Mt. Namana (E of Nadarivatu) toward Mt. Tomanivi (Mt. Victoria), 1050-1120 m, dense forest, 18 Aug 1947, Smith 5700 (A, K, BISH, US). Nadroga & Navosa Province: Nad-rua, in forest, 750-900 m, 4 Feb-26 Mar 1941, Degener 14893 (A, K, BISH); Forest at Taunaisali on central plateau between headwaters of the Wainimala and Sigatoka Rivers [type locality of Goniocladus petiolatus Burret], c. 3800 ft, 9-10 Sep 1972, Moore et al. 10008 (BH, SUVA); Rairai-matuku Plateau [type location of Goniocladus petiolatus], 1100 m, Jul 1995, Masitoqi s.n. (SUVA). Naitasiri Province: Monasavu area, 17°45.706'S, 178°00.357'E, 1190 m, 11 Mar 1995, Fuller 169 (CAS, SUVA); Monasavu area, 1100+ m, 30 Sep 1995, Fuller 276, 278 (SUVA); Monasavu area, 17°45.706'S, 178°00.357'E, 1190 m, 1 Oct 1995, Fuller 281 (SUVA, US); Ra Province: Nadarivatu, Lom-alagi, South ridge, 3000 ft, dense shade, moist forest, 19 Oct 1969, Anderson s.n. (BISH). (Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia)A

Bibliography

    A. Fuller, D. 1999: The lost palm of Fiji – a resolution of Goniocladus and a preliminary cladistic analysis of Physokentia
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae